Which part of the flower structure develops into a protective seed coat?

The ovule wall develops into a protective seed coat as part of the fertilization and development process in flowering plants. Once the ovule, which contains the female gamete, is fertilized by male pollen, it begins to develop into a seed. The ovule wall, which surrounds and protects the developing fertilized ovule, hardens and transforms into the seed coat. This seed coat plays a crucial role in protecting the seed from desiccation, pathogens, and physical damage while providing a suitable environment for the development of the embryo within.

The stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower that produces pollen but does not contribute to seed formation. The pistil, which is the female reproductive structure, plays a role in housing the ovules but does not become the seed coat itself. Petals are primarily involved in attracting pollinators and do not have a direct role in seed development. Therefore, the ovule wall is correctly identified as the structure that evolves into the protective seed coat.