Cotyledon: meaning, definitions and examples
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cotyledon
[ ˌkɒtɪˈliːdən ]
botanical term
A cotyledon is the first leaf or leaves that appear from a seedling. In plants, cotyledons serve as a nutrient source for the young plant until it can produce its own food through photosynthesis. The number of cotyledons can vary; for example, dicots typically have two cotyledons, while monocots have one.
Synonyms
seed leaf.
Examples of usage
- The pea plant has two cotyledons.
- During germination, the cotyledon emerges from the seed.
- Cotyledons can sometimes photosynthesize.
- The orchid is known for having a single cotyledon.
Translations
Translations of the word "cotyledon" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cotilédone
🇮🇳 बीजपत्र (बीजपत्र)
🇩🇪 Keimblatt
🇮🇩 kotiledon
🇺🇦 сім'ядоля
🇵🇱 liść zarodkowy
🇯🇵 子葉 (こよう
🇫🇷 cotylédon
🇪🇸 cotiledón
🇹🇷 kotiledon
🇰🇷 씨앗잎 (씨앗 잎)
🇸🇦 ورقة جنينية (ورقة جنينية)
🇨🇿 děložní list
🇸🇰 klíčový list
🇨🇳 子叶 (zǐ yè)
🇸🇮 kotelidon
🇮🇸 fræplátur
🇰🇿 бұтақ жапырағы
🇬🇪 სემიადოლი
🇦🇿 toxum yarpağı
🇲🇽 cotiledón
Etymology
The word 'cotyledon' comes from the Greek word 'kotyledon', which means 'cup' or 'hollow' (from 'koto', meaning 'to have or hold'). This term was used in botanical terminology to describe the initial leaf structure that emerges from seeds. It was first introduced in the 18th century as botanists began studying plant development more systematically. The connection between the shape of a cotyledon and that of a cup likely stems from the appearance of cotyledons as they first unfold. Over time, the definition has become more precise, differentiating between the two main groups of flowering plants: monocots and dicots, based on the number of cotyledons present.