Seed Germination
Seeds sprout when they have water, warmth and oxygen.
About this topic
Germination is the sprouting of a seed to begin growth. A seed needs water (to activate enzymes), oxygen (for respiration) and a suitable temperature, but not light, in most cases. Water makes the seed swell and enzymes convert stored starch to sugar for the embryo, with the radicle emerging first, then the shoot.
Some seeds have dormancy broken by cold, fire or scarring. Once leaves open, photosynthesis begins. Experiments vary one factor to test requirements.
To test it, set up tubes of seeds with water and air, without water, without oxygen (by boiling the water and adding an oil layer), and in the cold; only the first sprouts. Inside, stored starch is digested by amylase into sugars to feed the growing embryo until true leaves can photosynthesise. The radicle emerges first, then the plumule.
Some seeds stay dormant until conditions are right, such as after a fire or winter cold, which helps them survive bad times. Seeds can survive for years, and viable seeds have been grown from ones centuries old. Gardeners plant seeds at the right depth and moisture. A common misconception is that seeds need soil or light; many germinate on wet paper in the dark, and light is only needed after the seedling emerges.
Key ideas
- Seed coat protects the embryo
- Enzymes mobilise stored food
- Radicle emerges first
Quick check
Use cases: where Seed Germination helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Seed Germination before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Seed Germination without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Seed Germination changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Seed Germination in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Biology underpins medicine, farming, conservation and biotechnology.
Frequently asked questions
What is Seed Germination?
Seeds sprout when they have water, warmth and oxygen.
What will I learn in Seed Germination?
Seed coat protects the embryo. Enzymes mobilise stored food. Radicle emerges first.
Is Seed Germination part of Biology?
Yes. It is one of 150 Biology topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Seed Germination lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Seed Germination?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.