ICSE Class 9 Biology
Question 7 of 11
Seeds - Structure and Germination — Question 9
Back to all questionsExperimental set-up of three-bean seed experiment is shown in the diagram below:

The observations of the three-bean seed experiment are as follows:
- The middle seed germinates. It gets both oxygen and water.
- The top seed does not germinate at all. It gets only oxygen but no water.
- The bottom seed does not germinate or stops germinating after the emergence of a small radicle. It gets water but very little oxygen (from the air dissolved in water).
Water, suitable temperature and air (oxygen) are necessary for germination.
- Water — Water is necessary because:
- By absorbing water, the seed swells and consequently the seed coat ruptures allowing the elongating radicle to come out and form the root system.
- Water is essential for chemical reactions and enzyme action on stored food in cotyledons or endosperm, converting it into a diffusable (dissolved) form for the developing embryo.
- Suitable temperature — A moderately warm temperature (25°C to 35°C) is usually favourable for germination which is also called optimum temperature. A very low temperature inhibits the growth of the embryo and a very high temperature destroys its delicate tissues.
- Oxygen — Oxygen is needed for respiration that provides energy for the rapid cell division and cell growth during germination.