Germination is the process that a seed or a spore goes through in order to sprout, and there are several factors that could initiate germination, including:
In plants, germination occurs when the seed itself starts to sprout and become a seedling, which is a very young plant.
A seed is a fertilized and ripe ovule that contains the young, embryonic plant, in addition to other essential components. Ultimately, seeds are how plants reproduce, and certain plants correspond to a larger family denoted as spermatophytes. Depending on the kind of plant, the seed will look different structurally but behave similarly across all common types of spermatophytes. Some examples of seeds include:
Structurally, seeds generally contain an embryo and a seed coat, which serves to protect the embryo within.
As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed.
Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons.
Try it risk-freeAlready registered? Log in here for access
 |
In order for the seed to be formed, which contains a fully matured and fertilized embryo, the initial seed must come to contact with pollen. In plants, the reproductive components consist of pollen and the ovaries, and when ovaries come into contact with pollen, they become fertilized and then develop into what we know as seeds. Pollen is released by male plants, whereas ovaries are possessed by female plants. After fertilization, seeds then store essential nutrients within the shell or coat, which can protect the embryo from any external factors. This is especially important because seeds can then travel via wind or animals and spread.
After the seed is formed, there are a few factors that could contribute to whether or not the process of germination can initiate. For example, the seed must find a new home within dirt that is favorable for growth. Once covered, several environmental contributors may trigger the process.
 |
The process of germination corresponds to the completion of three essential steps:
At the first stage of seed germination, imbibition corresponds to the absorption of water. In doing so, the seed (which was previously dry) grows due to rehydration. This growth, or swelling, results in the rupturing of the protective coat surrounding the embryo. Effectively, the coat is ruptured and this allows for the radicle to emerge as the primary root of the new plant. This is necessary so the growth of the new plant can begin.
The rehydration process made possible via imbibition results in the plant resuming metabolic activity, which at that stage was still anaerobic since the energy was not provided by oxygen, but primarily by glycolysis. Once oxygen is able to enter the seed, reparation becomes aerobic. Some plants can even absorb the oxygen molecules from the water in the initial steps, thus not having to perform anaerobic respiration. Once the radicle emerges from the seed, it does so in order to get access to oxygen above the soil. It is possible to facilitate this stage of germination via ploughing, since doing so may remove the soil just enough for the radicle to breathe.
The final stage of germination corresponds to the division of cells within the seed, and this is due to the seed becoming metabolically active. Due to the aerobic respiration processes, the new plant now has access to energy that may be used for the purpose of cell division. After this, the cells within the embryo become larger and go on to divide further, slowly becoming the seedling.
There are a few conditions that are necessary for seed germination, and they are essential to the process of how a seed grows into a seedling and then into an adult plant.
There are several internal and external factors that may aid or halt the germination process.
Seed dormancy occurs when the seed is unable to germinate, even in the presence of all the necessary conditions. In this case, the seed coat may be too resistant to water, the seeds may be immature, or the seeds may require a lot more time in general.
Like the necessary conditions for germination, the process may be affected by factors corresponding to the availability of water, the temperature, and the level of oxygen. Temperature is especially important since, in some cases, a lower temperature may promote the growth of fungi.
Germination is the process whereby a seed or spore grows into a plant according to several key steps and due to several important conditions. A seed is simply the fertilized ovum of a plant, which occurs when pollen meets an ovary in plants. After sprouting, the process of germination involves the following steps:
The conditions for germination include appropriate water, oxygen, light, and temperature levels. Factors may also affect seed germination, and internal factors correspond to seed dormancy which may occur due to the following reasons:
External factors are similar to the favorable conditions in that irregular levels of water, sunlight, oxygen, and temperature may perturb or facilitate the process. In fact, lower temperatures have been shown to facilitate the formation of fungi instead of plants.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
This activity will help you assess your knowledge of the definition, process, steps, and factors of seed germination.
For this activity, you'll need a printer to reproduce the following page. Search for and circle or highlight the words that will complete each of the given clues. Afterward, neatly write them in the appropriate blank spaces in the clues.
 |
 |
Favorable conditions pertaining to appropriate levels of sunlight, water, oxygen, and temperature facilitate the process of germination. The first step is water absorption.
The three stages of seed germination are 1) imbibition, 2) respiration, and 3) cell division. The first stage corresponds to the absorption of water, the second to the resumption of metabolic activity, and the third is important in the formation of the seedling and the young plant.
Seed germination refers to the process by which a seed, which is a fertilized plant ovum, effectively sprouts and grows into a baby plant. Germination involves specific conditions and three essential steps.
Germinate corresponds to the seed's ability to sprout after a period of dormancy due to the exposure of the seed to water and other favorable conditions.
Already a member? Log In
BackAlready registered? Log in here for access
