Plants & Seeds

Seed germination, plant growth and reproduction

How Seeds Grow

Seeds contain a tiny plant (embryo) and stored food. When a seed gets water, warmth and air, it germinates — the root grows down and the shoot grows up. The shoot grows leaves that make food using sunlight (photosynthesis).

Example

Germination Experiment

Place bean seeds on wet cotton wool in a jar. Keep it warm and moist. Day 1-2: Seed swells with water Day 3-4: Root breaks through the seed coat Day 5-7: Shoot pushes upward Day 8+: First leaves appear

Note

Remember

Seeds need water, warmth and air to germinate (NOT light at first). Once the shoot appears, the plant needs light to grow leaves and make food. Plants reproduce by making flowers, fruits and seeds.

Key Vocabulary

GerminationWhen a seed starts to grow into a new plant

EmbryoThe tiny baby plant inside a seed

PhotosynthesisHow plants use sunlight to make their own food

PollinationTransfer of pollen from one flower to another for reproduction

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Germination

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