Table of Contents

What are Seeds?............................................................................. 4

Seed Structures............................................................................... 6

What Do Seeds Need to Start Germinate?.................................. 8

Germination....................................................................................10

Stages of Germination...................................................................12

Where do Seeds Come From?......................................................14

Importance of Plants.....................................................................18

Test Your Knowledge.....................................................................20

Glossary...........................................................................................22

Resources........................................................................................24

References.......................................................................................26

Growing Seed

A seed hiding

Beneath the cover of soil

A strong plant awaits

What are Seeds?

Most plants begin life as seeds. Plants form seeds inside flowers or cones. In flowering plants, seeds are inside the fruits. They can come in different shapes, sizes, and colours.

Some seeds are enjoyed by humans, such as:

    - sunflower seeds;

    - rice;

    - peas;

    - and corn.

Sunflower Seeds

Rice

Peas

Corn

Avocado Seeds

Dandelion Seeds

Pomegranate Seeds

Seed Structures

Each seed has many different structures, such as:

    - cotyledons;

    - hypocotyl;

    - epicotyl;

    - endosperm;

    - seed coat;

    - hilum;

   - and embryo, which is made up of:

       - radicle;

       - and true leaves.

What Do Plants Need to Start Germinate?

Seeds need the right conditions to germinate, they will need:

    - water,

    - warmth

    - and air.

If the conditions are not right then the seed will stay dormant. They can be inactive for many years 

before germinating.

Germination

There are 2 types of germination found in plants:

    - epigeal germination;

    - and hypogeal germination.

Examples of epigeal germination are: 

    - cotton;

    - papaya;

    - and onion.

Examples of hypogeal germination are: 

    - Pea;

    - wheat;

    - and rice.

Hypogeal Germination

 Epigeal Germination

Stages of Germination

Stage 1 (Imbibition): The seed absorbs water causing the seed coat to swell and become soft.

Stage 2 (Activation): The seed begins to use the stored energy from the endosperm so that the embryo can grow.

Stage 3 (Growth): The seed coat splits for the radical to come out and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Stage 4 (Morphogenesis): Leaves sprout. The baby plant is still using the endosperm for energy. 

Where do Seeds Come From?

Baby plants will grow into parent plants and make seeds of their own. If seeds land nearby their parent, they will compete with each other for light, water, and nutrient. It is important for seeds to disperse from their parent plant, so they are more likely to survive.

Seeds can disperse in a few ways:

    - wind;

    - water;

    - animals;

    - and bursting.

The wind carries lightweight seeds long distances. Some seeds have fluffy parts that help them to drift through the air. 

The water can carry seeds have waterproof coverings that let them float far away.

Animals carry seeds with sticky or prickly seed coats that stick to the fur of animals. 

Some plants have pods that burst open to scatter the seeds inside. 

Animals can also eat fruit with seeds in them. The seeds pass through their bodies and end up far from where they ate the fruit.