What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes fleshy fruits from dry fruits?

The primary characteristic that distinguishes fleshy fruits from dry fruits is that fleshy fruits consist largely of soft succulent tissue, while dry fruits do not. Fleshy fruits, such as apples, peaches, and berries, are characterized by their juicy and fleshy pericarp, which develops from the ovary of the flower and is designed to aid in seed dispersal through attraction of animals who eat the fruit. This soft tissue forms an important part of the fruit's function, serving not only as a nutrient source but also facilitating the dispersal of seeds after the fruit is consumed.

In contrast, dry fruits, such as nuts, capsules, or grains, develop into a hardened structure as they mature, often to protect the seeds inside during their development and to aid in their dispersal in different ways, such as being carried away by wind or water. The absence of the soft, succulent tissue is a key differentiator between these two types of fruits.

The other options do not accurately reflect the defining characteristics of these types of fruits. While fleshy fruits do contain seeds, so do many dry fruits; thus, this is not a distinguishing factor. The size of fruits can vary widely within both categories, and it is not a consistent trait that fleshy