Seeds and plant development

Question 1

what is a seed

Answer 1

Seeds areprotective structuresthat allow theenclosed embryoto remain in adormant state and survive prolonged periods of harsh environmental conditions.

When environmental conditions becomefavourable, the seed will germinate and a new plant will develop.Theseedprovides the embryo with thenutrients to support its pre-photosynthetic growth.

Question 2

what are the two different types of seed

Answer 2

dicotyledonousandmonocotyledonous

Question 3

what do monocotyledonous seeds refer to

Answer 3

a seed that will produce asingle (one) embryonic leaf

Question 4

what do dicotyledonous seeds refer to

Answer 4

a seed that will growa set(two)ofembryonic leaves.

Question 5

what are The developing structures found inside of seeds

Answer 5

• Leaves grow from theplumule, anembryonic shoot.
• Theembryonic shoot, however, develops from aradicle, theembryonic root.
• Thecotyledonsare, therefore, anenergy reservethat stores food for thedeveloping embryo.
• A rigid andprotectiveseed-coat called aTesta, surrounds the seeds.

Question 6

what happens during the germination of a seed

Answer 6

During the germination of a seed,apical meristematic tissuefound on theembryonic shoot forms new cells that result in the elongation of theradicleand theplumule. Meristematic tissue isundifferentiated cells - it can be compared to stem cells found in humans. Meristematic cells constantly divide throughmitosisresulting in plant growth and development. The diagram below illustrates the formation of the plumule and radicle from the embryonic shoot.