The nutrient content in fruit changes as it ripens, encouraging animals to feed on them and help disperse their seeds.
Asked by: Alison Shields, Buckinghamshire
Fruits disperse their seeds when animals eat them. By suddenly increasing the sugar content, plants encourage animals to selectively eat the fruits with mature seeds that have developed the protective coatings they will need to survive passage through the digestive system. Commercial bananas don’t actually have seeds, but the ripening process remains.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
Subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine and try 3 issues for just $9.95
Discover our latest special editions covering a range of fascinating topics from the latest scientific discoveries to the big ideas explained.
Listen to some of the brightest names in science and technology talk about the ideas and breakthroughs shaping our world.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.