What defines angiosperms?

Angiosperms are indeed defined as flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within an ovary. This is a significant reproductive adaptation that distinguishes them from other plant groups. The presence of flowers facilitates pollination and sexual reproduction, attracting various pollinators that help in this process, enhancing genetic diversity. Furthermore, the seeds are developed within a protective structure (the ovary), which later matures into fruit, providing additional protection and aiding in seed dispersal.

This unique reproductive structure is what primarily sets angiosperms apart from other plant categories, such as gymnosperms, which bear seeds directly on cones and are not enclosed within an ovary. This characteristic allows angiosperms to have a variety of adaptations for different environments, contributing to their vast diversity and dominance in many ecosystems.