Seeds

Question 1

Steps of seed germination

Answer 1

pollination
fertilization
embryogenesis
mature seed

Question 2

apomixis

Answer 2

seeds produced without pollination

Question 3

apomictic

Answer 3

seeds produced with pollination

Question 4

seeds are alive

Answer 4

respiration

finite lifespan

Question 5

General features of seeds

Answer 5

embryonic axis 
-root and shoot in mini form
food reserves 
-allows seeds to grow before it is capable of performing photosynthesis 
seed coat 
-provides protection

Question 6

Two groups based on seed structure, monocots and dicots (difference)

Answer 6

dicot - two seed leaves

monocot - one seed leaf

Question 7

Dicot characteristics

Answer 7

two cotyledons
web veins in leaves
ring of vascular bundles in stems
4/5 petals on flowers 
pollen has three pores

Question 8

Monocot characteristics

Answer 8

one cotyledon 
parallel veins in leaves
scattered vascular bundles in leaves
usually 3 petals on flowers
pollen had one pore

Question 9

Typical seed of a dicot plant

Answer 9

embryonic axis 
plumule - first true leaves
hypocotyl/epicotyl - embryonic stem (H/E)
radicle - embryonic root 
cotyledons (seed leaves) - for storage of food reserves 
-proteins 
-starch, carbohydrates
-lipids, oils 
*think bean seed

Question 10

Exterior structure of a dicot plant

Answer 10

seed coat - protection
hilum - botanical belly button
micropyle - where tube that carried pollen to the egg was attached
*think bean seed

Question 11

Typical seed of a monocot plant

Answer 11

embryonic axis
plumule - first true leaves
radicle - embryonic root
coleoptile - protective cap over plumule
cotyledons (scutellum) - transfer of food from endosperm to seedling
endosperm - food storage and reserve
-proteins, starch and , oils

Question 12

Diversity in seeds

Answer 12

size
adaptation
method of distribution
germination requirements

Question 13

Steps of seed germination

Answer 13

uptake of water
utilization of stored reserves
expansion of the embryonic axis
establishment of an autotrophic seedling

Question 14

Germination requires

Answer 14

water
temperature
oxygen

Question 15

Utilization of stored reserves in cotyledons or endosperm tissue

Answer 15

during germination, enzymes are produced that convert stored reserves (large molecules) into compounds that can be used by the seedling (smaller molecules)
starches -> sugars
lipids, fats -> sugars
proteins -> amino acids

Question 16

Transport of these small molecules during germination have two functions

Answer 16

support respiration in the embryo because the seedling is not yet able to perform photosynthesis
provide a source of building blocks for growth of the seedling

Question 17

Expansion and growth of the seedling

Answer 17

root radicle elongates down and hypocotyl expands up
establishment of root system
cotyledons emerge above the soil surface

Question 18

Seed dormancy

Answer 18

a mechanism to delay germination until environmental conditions are favorable

Question 19

Seed dormancy can be broken by various natural conditions

Answer 19

temperature (some seeds requires period of low temps)
exposure to sunlight
exposure to dry heat
heavy rainfall

Question 20

Artificial treatments to break seed dormancy

Answer 20

manipulating environment

scarification - physical disruption of hard seed coat

Question 21

Seedling establishment

Answer 21

shoot emerges and is exposed to light
chlorophyll is produced and seedling startes to perform photosynthesis
seedling is autotrophic, no longer depends on reserves from the seed
*if stored reserves are consumed before the plant performs photosynthesis, the seedling will die