Question

What do you understand by germination of seed? How can you show that oxygen, water and temperature are necessary for seed germination?

Accepted Answer

Seeds are structures that are developed from ovules post fertilisation. The development of a plant from a seed is called the germination of a seed. Air, water and temperature are necessary factors for seed germination. Since, seeds contain the embryo, in order to germinate they require oxygen because they need energy to do so. The rate of respiration is higher in seeds while germination.

Water is very important. It is utilised to hydrate the protoplasm. Also, the cytoplasm of a cell is made up of water. The presence of water softens the seed coat and increases seed permeability. In order to prove that seeds require air and water, we can keep the seeds in a dark room without air and water, in other terms, close the seeds in an airtight jar and keep it in the dark. In about $2$ days, the seeds are dried up and are no longer viable.

Optimum temperature is required for seed germination as the enzymes are active at the optimum temperature. If air, water and temperature are not provided, the seed does not germinate as these factors are essential in determining the life processes of the seed. In order to prove that the seeds require an optimum temperature, we keep the seeds in a refrigerator. We can see that the seeds will not be germinated as it is an unfavourable condition for the seed.

What do you understand by germination of seed? How can you show that oxygen, water and temperature are necessary for seed germination?

Important Questions on Reproduction in Plants

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