What are fruits defined as in botanical terms?

Fruits are defined botanically as the ripened ovaries of flowering plants. This means that after the fertilization of the ovules within the ovary, the ovary develops into a fruit, which is designed to protect the seeds and aid in their dispersal. This process plays a crucial role in the life cycle of flowering plants, as fruits often facilitate the distribution of seeds through various means, such as wind, water, or animals.

In contrast, the other definitions do not accurately capture the essence of what constitutes a fruit. Seeds are indeed part of the reproductive process, but they are not considered fruits themselves; they are the offspring contained within fruits. Roots serve different functions, primarily for anchoring the plant and nutrient absorption, and are not connected to the fruit's definition. Edible flowers, while they may be consumed by humans, do not encompass the broader definition of fruits as they do not result from the ovary of a flowering plant. Thus, the correct identification of fruits as ripened ovaries underscores their biological significance and primary function in plant reproduction.