What purpose does a female pine cone serve?

It protects the seed until it matures.

It makes food for the adult plant.

It allows for photosynthesis to occur.

It acts as an object to attract birds.

It serves as an ornamental object on the tree.

The answer is It protects the seed until it matures.

Through the process of elimination:

- It protects the seed until it matures. YES. A female pine cone the unfertilized seeds until they become mature. Then, the cone opens and seeds fall out of the cone.

- It makes food for the adult plant. NO. The food of plants in made of green leaves that contain chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis.

- It allows for photosynthesis to occur. NO. The cones have nothing to do with photosynthesis but they are responsible for reproduction.

- It acts as an object to attract birds. NO. The birds look for colourful flowers while cones are woody.

- It serves as an ornamental object on the tree. NO. Every part of plants has more important function than serving as an ornamental object.