Seed Germination

IGCSE Biology

The life cycle of a plant

• There are 7 stages in the life cycle of a plant.

• Can you organise your cards as a group to show them? seed / fruit

Formationseed

dispersal

germination

flower formation

pollination

fertilisation

development

Seed Structure

• Parts are:

Seed coatForms a tough protective layer

Food storeProvides the embryo plant with food.

Embryo shoot

Embryo root

Embryo – grows into plant

Seed Dissection

• Using a scalpel, carefully dissect your seed in half lengthways.

• Draw a diagram of what you can see.• Identify the parts,and label your drawing

Germination conditions

• Seeds need certain conditions to germinate:–Water • to activate enzymes which digest stored food

– Oxygen• Needed for the production of energy for germination

–Warmth• Needed for the enzymes to work effectively.

• Germination is the development of a new plant from the embryo in a seed.

Group Activity: What affects germination?

• Spacing / number of seeds• Humidity / water volume• Type of seeds• Size of seeds• Type of soil / mass• Temperature• Depth of planting• Gases / oxygen levels

Measure by % germination after set time

Each group pick a variable…

• Your task as a group is to design, set up and collect results from an experiment that investigates one of the variables mentioned before

• Make a group poster that explains and reports your experiment

• It should contain all the information you would normally include in a lab report (use your IGCSE Lab Report Formats!) in a clear, concise and VISUAL form!