seeds

Question 1

how are seeds produced?

Answer 1

in flowering plants, the nucleus of pollen is inserted into the ovules and fertilises it. The outer layers are lignified as a way of protecting the embryo and the ovary is turned into the actual fruit

Question 2

gelatinisation

Answer 2

when starch is heated in water it swells, absorbs water and thickens the liquid

Question 3

why is starch so easily extracted from plants?

Answer 3

Starch is in plants in the form of granules that do not dissolve in water but can be easily washed out

Question 4

superabsorbents

Answer 4

If starch is crossed-linked before gelatinisation, the particles formed can be dried and once rehydrated they can take up large amounts of water

Question 5

what influences the temperature at which starch gelatinises?

Answer 5

The amount of water present, if it is less than 10% the gelatinisation occurs at a point above water’s boiling point