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Book 29, Question 37 · Video

How does a flower become a fruit?

Video · 1:46 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 29

When pollen from a flower reaches the female part, a tube grows down and joins with a tiny egg cell inside the flower's base. This is fertilization. The base, called the ovary, swells and ripens, turning into a fruit that holds seeds. The petals fade because their job is done. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins are all fruits that began as flowers.

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does a flower become a fruit?

The Big Idea

Every tomato starts out as a flower! How does a flower become a fruit? Let's watch it change.

Pollen Arrives

Step one: Pollen Arrives. When pollen reaches the female part of a flower, a tiny tube grows down inside it. The tube joins with a tiny egg cell in the flower's base, which is called fertilization.

Swelling Up

Step two: Swelling Up. The base of the flower, called the ovary, swells and ripens. It turns into a fruit that holds seeds.

Petals Fade

Step three: Petals Fade. The petals fade, because their job is done. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins are all fruits that began as flowers.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Opens up. Arrives. Swells. Holds seeds.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A fruit's job is to protect seeds and help them travel. Cucumbers are fruits. Pumpkins began as flowers. Petals fade away.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Find a squash or tomato flower. Watch it each day. Notice when the petals fade. Look for the tiny fruit at its base. Draw how it changes.

Outro

When pollen reaches a flower's female part, a tube grows down to fertilize an egg cell. The flower's base, the ovary, swells into a fruit holding seeds, which is how tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins begin. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

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