Fruit lab Data (instruction on next page)

Print and write on or use a blank sheet to write on then take a picture to submit
Draw APPLE and label terms on both views
Sepals exocarp/epidermis endocarp/core
Pedicel mesocarp Locule
C- Cross section cut- L- Longitudinal cut-

Draw Orange and label terms on both views

Exocarp Endocarp
Mesocarp Carpel capsule/Locule
C- Cross section cut-

Draw Green Bean/Pea and label terms on

Pericarp carpel of the locule FUNICULUS
L- Longitudinal split-
 Dissection instruction are after the general information of
Anatomy of simple fruits
In berries and drupes, the pericarp forms the edible tissue around the seeds. In accessory
fruits, other tissues develop into the edible portion of the fruit instead, for example the
receptacle of the flower in apples and strawberries.
Pericarp layers
The pericarp itself is typically made up of three distinct layers: the exocarp, which is the
most-outside layer or peel, the mesocarp, which is the middle layer and the endocarp,
which is the inner layer surrounding the hollowed ovary or the containing seeds.
Exocarp (Gr. "outside" + "fruit")
Mesocarp (Gr. "middle" + "fruit") the part of the fruit that is eaten.
Endocarp (Gr. "inside" + "fruit")which directly surrounds the seeds. It may be
membranous as in citrus where it is the only part consumed, or thick and hard as in the
stone fruits of the family Rosaceae such as peaches, cherries, plums, and apricots.
Look at the Tomato for example

Although it is called a "vegetable," the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is technically

a botanical fruit referred to as a berry. Most of the interior tissue of a true berry is soft and
fleshy.
II. Dissection of Fruit
When fertilization occurs, the ovule, which contains the zygote (fertilized egg cell),
develops into a seed and the ovary receives signals which tell it to undergo growth and
differentiation. The matured ovary develops into the seed-containing fruit. Sometimes
other accessory organs become part of the fruit structure. We think of fruits as being
juicy, like the apple, which you will dissect today. But fruits can be dry like the grains,
walnuts, and the spiny sweet gum fruit Botanically, anything that contains a seed is a
fruit. Burrs, eggplants, tomatoes, maple tree “polly noses,” and dandelion fluff are all
fruits. (Consult your textbook for the different types of fruits.) The only job of a fruit is to
help disperse the seeds. By means of the wind, water, the digestive tracts, fur, and the
sloppy eating habits of animals, plants are able to spread their seeds into areas which
might have less competition for water, light and nutrients.
(I). The Apple – If you don’t have fruit see attached document
1. Obtain an apple, observe that the bottom of the apple was actually the top of the flower
and the vestigial sepals are still there. Now observe the top apple and note the peduncle
or pedicel (the apple stem).
2. Now make the assigned cut with a clean knife. Caution knives are sharp and can cut
more than fruit be careful. If you only have one apple make the cross section cut if you
have 2 make both cuts
a. C- Cross section cut- cut half way between the pedicel and the sepal all the way
through the apple
b. L- Longitudinal cut- Cut the apple in half, starting at the pedicel and going down
through the center of the sepals.
3. Sketch both views of the apple and label; the sepals, the pedicel the
exocarp/epidermis of the apple, the mesocarp just beneath the exocarp and the
endocarp/ core(where you should see a ring of tissue that houses the Locule- which
are cavities that house the seeds.
4. Questions
a. How many pollen fertilized this flower to make this apple?
b. How can you prove this apple is a dicot by looking deep into the apple?
(Il). The Orange
1. Obtain an orange, Make observations about the external anatomy.
a. What is or was the navel of the orange?
b. What is on the opposite side of the navel?
2. Make a cross section cut- cut half way between the pedicel and the navel all the way
through the Orange. Caution knives are sharp and can cut more than fruit be careful.
3. Sketch the orange; label the outer part of the rind the exocarp and the center of the
rind the mesocarp and the inner part of the rind the endocarp. Inside of the
endocarp you will find the sections of the orange each section of the orange is called
the carpel capsule/Locule which contains juice filled hairs we call pulp.
4. Questions
a. How many sections does your orange have? ________What does this tell you?
b. Is there proof this orange is a dicot?
(Ill). The Green bean / Pea–
1. Obtain a pea, Make observations about the external anatomy.
a. Sketch and label the pedicel and not if there are any flower remnants left.
2. Use your nail to carefully split the pod in a Longitudinal manner. Try not separate the sides if possible.
Leave them attached at the stem end. The seeds (“peas”) are located in the large locule.
3. Sketch what you see. Observe and label the pericarp(the exocarp, mesocarp and the
encocarp) but so thin you cannot distinguish between the 3 layers. The inner most layer is
the carpel of the locule, Note and label the presence of the FUNICULUS, which attaches
the peas to the area of the pericarp.
a. Count the number of pea. _________What does this tell you?
b. Is there proof this is there any proof the bean/pea is a dicot?
If you are at home EAT your fruit when you are done!