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What is a fruit

in this article, we will learn about what is a fruit, what is a fruit in biological terms, what is a fruit reduction and more.

A fruit is the fleshy or dry ripening ovary of a flowering plant that encloses the seed or seeds in a botanical sense. 

What is a fruit 

Fruit is a flowering plant’s fleshy or dry ripening ovary that contains the seed or seeds. Apricots, bananas, and grapes are all technically fruits, as are bean pods, maize grains, tomatoes, cucumbers, and acorns or almonds. However, in popular usage, the phrase refers to ripened ovaries that are sweet and either succulent or pulpy. Fruit farming is a treatment for the cultivation of fruits. Fruit processing is a therapy for the nutrient composition and processing of fruits.

In botany, a ripe ovary is referred to as a fruit. It usually refers to a seed that has developed after being fertilised by the enclosed ovule, whereas parthenocarpy, or development without fertilisation, is seen in bananas. As a result of fertilisation, the anthers and stigma wither, the petals fall off, and also the sepals may well be shed or changed; the ovary enlarges, and the ovules mature in seeds, every containing an embryo plant; and the ovary enlarges, and the ovules mature into seeds, each containing an embryo plant. The fruit’s principal role is to protect and disperse the seed.

Fresh fruits can rot, but their shelf life can be extended by refrigerating them or removing oxygen from their storage or packaging vessels. Dehydration, canning, fermentation, and pickling are all methods for preserving fruits such as juices, jams, and jellies. Fruit-derived products include waxes such as those made from bayberries (wax myrtles) and vegetable ivory made from the hard fruits of a South American palm species). Various medications are derived from fruits, such as morphine, which is derived from the opium poppy’s fruit.

Types of fruits

Fruits are divided into three categories: simple, aggregate, and multiple/composite/collective.

Simple fruit – A simple fruit is a single fruit that grows from a single ovary of a single flower with only one pistil. A basic fruit like an apple is a good illustration.

Apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blueberry, cherry, cucumber, currant, eggplant, grape, grapefruit, guava, kiwi, lemon, mango, nectarine, olive, orange, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, plum, pumpkin, pomegranate, quince, squash, tomato, and watermelon are examples of plants with simple fleshy fruits.

Aggregate fruit- An aggregation fruit is formed when a single flower has numerous ovaries, each of which develops into a fruitlet before merging into a single fruit. An aggregation fruit is something like a strawberry.

Blackberry, custard apple, raspberry, strawberry, and sugar apple are examples of aggregation fruits.

Multiple fruits – A multiple or composite fruit is formed when each blossom in a cluster of flowers (inflorescence) produces a fruit, and all of the fruits merge into a single mass. Pineapple is an example of a fruit that can be eaten in many ways.

  • Breadfruit, fig, jackfruit, mulberry, orange, and pineapple are examples of numerous fruits.
  • One flower and one ovary make up a simple fruit.
  • Aggregate fruit consists of a single bloom with a large number of ovaries.
  • Several fruits – numerous blooms, numerous ovaries

The biological function of fruit 

In botany, a fruit is a seed-bearing structure that develops after flowering in flowering plants (also known as angiosperms). However, in botanical terminology, “fruit” can refer to a range of structures that aren’t commonly thought of as “fruits,” such as bean pods, corn kernels, tomatoes, and wheat grains. Generation of energy, Energy is required for body cells to engage in numerous operations.

Production of Glycogen, Fructose can also be used by cells to create glycogen, a type of stored carbohydrate, Storage of fat. The body not only stores energy in the form of glycogen, but also the form of triglycerides, or fat.

What is a fruit reduction?

A fruit reduction is a quick and easy approach to enhancing the flavour of fresh fruit. To make a reduction, remove the water from the fruit and boil it away to concentrate the taste. It’s simple to modify because any fruit and fruit juice combination can be used to make a reduction. You don’t even have to utilise fruit to make reductions; you may make them with simply juice. The thick concentration is delicious as a sauce for everything from steamed asparagus to vanilla ice cream, in either case. It goes nicely with chicken and pork loin, among other meats.

  1. As needed, wash, peel, deseed, and remove the stem from the fruit. Fruit should be cut into small pieces. In a small saucepan, mash the fruit with a fork until it forms a thick pulp.
  2. Place the pot over a low heat setting. Pour the juice into the saucepan and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil, stirring constantly.
  3. Reduce the heat to a low setting. Cook, stirring often until the fruit mixture has reduced by at least half. Continue to cook, stirring often, until you reach the desired consistency. Before serving, remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside to cool for a few minutes.

Conclusion 

A fruit is the fleshy or dry ripening ovary of a flowering plant that encloses the seed or seeds in a botanical sense. A ripe ovary and its related elements are referred to as a fruit in botany

Fruits are high in dietary fibre, vitamins (particularly vitamin C), and antioxidants. An aggregation fruit is formed when a single flower has numerous ovaries, each of which develops into a fruitlet before merging into a single fruit

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