Germination and Seeds

What is germination?

• Time when the seed is dormant.

• the process of the embryo emerging from the seed

• When the true leaves grow on the plant.

What is a cotyledon?

• Tiny, dormant plant

• Seed leaves, the first leaves of a plant

• Plant roots

• Plant stems

What does the endosperm store for the embryo?

• Stores water

• Protects the seed from damage.

• Stores food for the embryo that includes proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

What is the purpose of the seed coat?

• Provide food for the seed.

• Layer around the seed that protects the embryo from diseases, insects and moisture until it is time for germination.

• Store water for the seed.

What is stratification?

• using cold temperatures or moisture to trigger respiration and consumption of energy from the seed

• physically weakening the seed coat through the use of heat, abrasion, or chemicals so that the seed coat breaks starting germination

What is scarification?

• using cold temperatures or moisture to trigger respiration and consumption of energy from the seed

• physically weakening the seed coat through the use of heat, abrasion, or chemicals so that the seed coat breaks starting germination

What is imbibition?

• (water absorption) seed rapidly takes up water and the seed coat swells and softens

• seed activates its internal physiology, cells respire, and the seed starts to make proteins and metabolize its stores of food

• cells start to elongate and divide, bringing the root and radicle out of the seed to absorb water

What is the radicle?

• first roots

• first leaves

• plant stem

What is the plumule?

• first roots

• plant stem

• first leaves