2. Factors That Affect Seed Germination 1. Water a. Water softens the seed. b. Overwatering can be dangerous to the seed. It can prevent oxygen from getting to the seed. c. The most important for seed germination 2. Oxygen a. Required for the seed to begin metabolism. b. Main source of energy during germination.

3. Factors that Affect Seed Germination 3. Light a. Depends on the type of seed. 4. Temperature a. Affects growth rates. b. Again, depends on the type of seed. 5. Soil a. Nutrient rich soil is best, since it provides the seed with all the essential minerals.

4. Question Of all the factors we just discussed, we said that water is the most important. Why is this so?

5. Question and Answer Of all the factors we just discussed, we said that water is the most important. Why is this so? Without water, the seed will never become soft enough to break open. And without it becoming soft enough the other factors will not matter.

6. Stages of Seed Germination Stage 1: Beginning Seed Intake of water and oxygen through the micropyle. Once enough water and oxygen are in the seed, the embryo begins to swell.

7. Stages of Seed Germination Stage 2: Radicle comes out After the embryo has enlarged and the coat of the seed has cracked the radicle is the first part of the plant to appear. Radicle acts as a root and shoots downward anchoring into the soil.

8. Stages of Seed Germination Stage 3: Growth of Plumule The plumule is the first to move towards the surface of the soil. Plumule has cotyledons that are the first leaves of the plant.

9. Stages of Seed Germination Stage 4: Plumule breaks the surface of the soil. Cotyledons begin to mature into leaves as the plant takes in more nutrients from the soil.

10. Stages of Seed Germination Stage 5: Cotyledons turn into seedlings Once the plant has broken the surface it turns into a seedling, or the beginning stage of its adult life.

11. Stages of Seed Germination Stage 6: Plant matures as it receives sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.

12. Stages of Seed Germination Review

13. Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d26AhcKeEbE http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30704- assignment-discovery-germination-of-a-seed- video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30704- assignment-discovery-germination-of-a-seed- video.htm