Definition

1. Noun (Botany):
   • Cotyledon: A significant part of the embryo within a seed, which often becomes the first embryonic leaf or leaves to appear during germination. It stores and provides nutrients to the young plant.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hạt đậu có hai tử diệp. (The bean seed has two cotyledons.)
  • Tử diệp cung cấp dinh dưỡng cho cây con. (The cotyledon provides nutrition for the seedling.)

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification, plants are often grouped as monocotyledons (one cotyledon) or dicotyledons (two cotyledons).
  • Cây lúa là một lưỡng tử diệp? Không, nó là đơn tử diệp. (Is rice a dicot? No, it is a monocot.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lá mầm: This is the more common, modern Vietnamese term for "cotyledon." "Tử diệp" is considered an older, more academic term.
  • Lá mầm của cây thường có hình dáng khác với lá thật. (The cotyledon of a plant often has a different shape from the true leaves.)

Synonyms

• Seed leaf: A common English synonym for cotyledon, describing its function and appearance.

Notes on Usage

• The word "tử diệp" is specialized and primarily used in formal, scientific, or historical botanical contexts. In everyday language and modern education, the term "lá mầm" is preferred.