Why are seeds dispersed after reproduction?

• A. To make seeds taste better for animals.
• B. To reduce competition and spread offspring to new locations.
• C. To ensure all seeds germinate in the same place.
• D. To convert sunlight into energy.

Answer: (B)

Seeds are dispersed after reproduction to spread offspring away from the parent plant, which reduces competition for light, water, and nutrients and increases the chances that some seeds will land in places where they can grow. If seeds stayed near the parent, they would compete with each other for limited resources, making survival harder. Dispersal lets seeds reach new areas where there might be more space, light, and suitable conditions. Animals, wind, water, and even the shape of the seed help carry them to distant spots, and some seeds are built to hitch rides on fur or cling to clothing, or to float in the air or water. This spreading helps the plant species survive in different environments and expand to new locations. It’s not about making seeds taste better, nor about seeds germinating in the same place, and seed dispersal isn’t about converting sunlight into energy—that’s the job of photosynthesis in the plant’s leaves.