Germinating Seeds (Edexcel IGCSE Biology)

Germination

• Germination is the beginning of seed growth

• The seed contains a zygote that develops into the embryo

• During germination, the embryo grows into a seedling

  • Cotyledons surround the embryo, storing food for the seedling

  • Some plants have one cotyledon, others have two

  • Cotyledons provide energy until the plant can photosynthesize

• Water absorption splits the seed coat (testa), allowing the plumule (first emerging shoot) and radicle (first emerging root) to emerge

The structures of a germinating seed