marginal placentation

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Explanation of "Marginal Placentation"

Definition:
"Marginal placentation" is a term used in botany, specifically in the study of plant reproduction. It refers to a way in which seeds (or ovules) are attached to the inside of a flower's ovary. In marginal placentation, the seeds are found along the edge (or margin) of the ovary's wall, particularly along the ventral suture, which is the line where the two halves of the ovary meet.

Usage Instructions

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Context: This term is used in scientific discussions about plant biology, particularly when describing how plants reproduce and produce seeds.

Example

• "In plants with marginal placentation, like the pea, the seeds develop along the edge of the ovary."

Advanced Usage

• In more advanced discussions, you might hear about comparative placentation, where different types of placentation (like axial or parietal) are contrasted with marginal placentation to understand how different plants evolve for reproduction.

Word Variants

• Placenta: The organ in mammals that develops during pregnancy to provide nutrients to the developing fetus, although this is a different context.
• Placentation: The process or condition of forming a placenta in plants.

Different Meanings

While "marginal placentation" specifically refers to the placement of seeds in plants, the word "marginal" itself can also mean something that is at the edge or not central in other contexts, such as in economics (marginal cost) or in everyday language (marginal notes).

Synonyms

• There are no direct synonyms for "marginal placentation," as it is a specific botanical term. However, related terms include:
  • Parietal placentation: Where seeds are attached to the ovary walls but not along the margin.
  • Axial placentation: Where seeds are attached to a central column in the ovary.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "marginal placentation," as it is a technical term used in a specific scientific field.

Summary

In summary, "marginal placentation" is an important concept in botany that describes how certain plants attach their seeds to the walls of the ovary.

Academic

Noun

1. with ovules borne on the wall along the ventral suture of a simple ovary

Synonyms

• ventral placentation