A dicot embryo consists of plumules, radicle, cotyledons, hypocotyl, root cap and an embryonal axis.
Plumule is the primary bud of the embryo which on development forms the shoot of the plant. It can be seen as a small conical structure inside the seeds of some plants. First true leaves germinate out of the plumule of the embryo.
Radicle is the portion of an embryo that develops into the primary root of the plant. It is the first part that emerges out of a seed when germination takes place. Radicle is also called the embryonic root of the plant.
Cotyledons are also called the embryonic leaves of the seed of the plants. Dicots consist of two cotyledons. These help in providing nourishment to the embryo inside the seed. Monocot plants consist of only one cotyledon.
Hypocotyl is the part of the embryonal axis which is present below the cotyledons in a dicot seed. It is present above the radicle. Hypocotyl pushes the cotyledons above the ground.
Root cap is a tissue present at the tip of roots. It protects the growing tips of roots while they grow below the soil surface. It secretes mucilage which is a viscous fluid. It protects the root cap from toxic substances and microorganisms.
The embryonal axis divides the embryo into two parts. On maturation, it becomes the stem of the plant. On both the sides of the embryonal axis, cotyledons are present in a dicot seed.
