Question

Jack has just returned after a walk in the woods. He finds several sticky weed seeds stuck to his jersey with their sharp hooks. Why do these seeds have sharp hooks?
a.to help in seed dispersal
b.to keep from being eaten
c.to attract insects
d.to help in germination

Answer 1

The reason is to help in seed dispersal. Seed dispersal is the movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant. Due to the fact that plants have very limited mobility they have to rely upon variety of dispersal; vectors to transport their seeds, including both abiotic and biotic factors. Seed dispersal is important because if seed are not dispersed, many germinating seedlings will grow very close to the parent plant which would result to competition between every one of the seedlings as well as the parent. The competition for essential growth factors such as light, space, water and nutrients.