Seed germination. Image credit k8schoollessons.com

Seed germination. Image credit k8schoollessons.com

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Reproduction in plants: Reproduction in Plants:The germination process

 

  • Germination- is the beginning of growth in a plant.
  • is the process by which a plant grows from a seed
  • When the seeds that are released by plants fall to the ground, some of them will germinate
  • On farms and in gardens seeds are provided with the best conditions that allow them to germinate
  • Inside each seed is a miniature plant/embryo which can grow into a new plant
  • The embryo is formed after the fertilization of the ovule
  • The seed has all the nutrients it needs to germinate stored within itself
The features of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Image credit tokresource.org

The features of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Image credit tokresource.org

  • There are two types of seeds:
  • Monocotyledons for example maize seeds and
  • Dicotyledons for example bean seeds
  • The food store in bean seeds is formed in the two seed leaves which are known as cotyledons
  • The cotyledons are the first leaves of the seedling
  • A maize grain has only one cotyledon which is very small
  • In a monocotyledon seed such as maize the food is stored in a different part of the plant called the endosperm
  • Certain conditions must be met in order for germination to occur and for the plants to grow into healthy plants
  • For seeds to germinate they need:
  • water
  • an appropriate temperature
  • oxygen which is available in atmospheric air
  • Oxygen is needed for respiration
  • The energy released by the respiration process is used by the germinating seed to grow
  • Water is needed to break the testa and for hydrolysis i.e the breakdown of protein and carbohydrate stores
  • A suitable temperature is also required for enzymes to act in the germination process

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.