1. 4.16 To use starch agar or skimmed milk agar plates to show digestive activity during germination

2. Swab the bench with disinfectant.
Step 1
Swab the bench with disinfectant.

3. Label the agar plates ‘boiled (control)’ and ‘un-boiled’.
Step 2
Label the agar plates ‘boiled (control)’ and ‘un-boiled’.

4. Boil half the seeds for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Boil half the seeds for 10 minutes.

5. Split all of the seeds in half.
Step 4
Split all of the seeds in half.

6. Soak the seed halves in disinfectant for 10 minutes.
Step 5
Soak the seed halves in disinfectant for 10 minutes.

7. Rinse the seed halves twice in water.
Step 6
Rinse the seed halves twice in water.

8. Flame the forceps to sterilise it.
Step 7
Flame the forceps to sterilise it.

9. Step 8
Place the boiled seeds face down on the plate labelled ‘boiled’. Place the un-boiled seeds face down on the plate labelled ‘un-boiled’.

10. Incubate at 18°C – 20°C for 48 hours.
Step 9
Incubate at 18°C – 20°C for 48 hours.

11. Step 10
Remove the seeds: If using starch agar, flood the plates with iodine and record colour changes.

12. Step 11
Remove the seeds: If using skimmed milk agar, flood the plates with Biuret reagent and record colour changes.

13. Expected result

14. END