Seed Anatomy & Seed Germination Where it all Begins: A Closer Look at Seeds

The Kidney Bean What Do You See?

Bean Structure

The Process of Germination Three Stages to the process: 1. Imbibition 2. Embryo expansion 3. Emergence of the radicle

The Process of Germination Imbibition uptake of water by the dry seed occurs in three phases Takes about 30 hours Occurs equally in both dead and live seeds.

The Phases of Imbibition

Key Points About Imbibition When water molecules enter, they dissolve the colloid particles in the seed and take up any free space. The colloid particles swell; creates imbibition pressure which breaks the seed coat The main component in the seed that absorbs water is protein

Key Points About Imbibition If water intake is too rapid, damage to the embryo will result Too much water will encourage the growth of microorganisms and will compete with the embryo for oxygen Temp. and humidity increase, so does the moisture content of the seed If conditions are not maximized, seed will not genrminate

Emergence of the Radicle

Dicot Development

Monocot Development

Seed Germination