In classification, what is referred to as the embryo of a plant?

The correct answer is the seed. In botanical classification, the embryo of a plant refers specifically to the young sporophyte that develops from the fertilized ovule, and it is housed within the seed.

The seed encompasses the entire structure, including the embryo, stored nutrients, and a protective outer coat. It plays a crucial role in plant reproduction and dispersal, allowing the embryo to remain dormant until conditions are favorable for germination.

In contrast, the sporophyte is the diploid phase of a plant's life cycle that develops after fertilization but is not solely the embryo. The gametophyte represents the haploid phase that produces gametes, while an ovule refers to the structure that develops into a seed after fertilization but does not specifically denote the plant's embryo itself. Thus, calling the seed the embryo emphasizes its role in plant development and reproduction.