Germination of Cress Seeds Essay Example
Background point 1:
There are several conditions that affect the germination of seeds. Most factors are external but there are also some internal conditions that affect the germination of seeds, even though this is quite rare. The most common and the most important external conditions and factors that affect the germination of seeds are oxygen, water, temperature and also in some cases light or darkness. Some plants require several variables for successful seed germination. As this is quite rare, this often depends on the individual seed and its natural habit.
Let’s focus on the most important factors that affect germination of seeds.
Firstly we have oxygen which is required by the seed that is germinating for metabolism. The O2 is used in the process of aerobic respiration which is the seedling’s source of energy until it grows. Oxygen can be found in soil pore spaces, as it is an atmospheric gas. If, for some reason, a seed is buried and placed too deeply within the soil or if the soil is waterlogged, the seed could be lacking oxygen. This means that the seed can be oxygen starved.
A second main factor that affects germination of seeds is water, also called the source of human existence. Water is required for germination of seeds. Many well-grown seeds often become extremely dry and need to absorb vital amounts of water until it is in equilibrium with the dry weight, after that cellular metabolism and growth of the seeds can proceed. There are also some other types of seed that only need enough of water to moisten themselves instead of enough to soak themselves. This process of uptake of water by seeds is defined as imbibition which later on leads to the swelling and the breaking of the seed coat. At the time when seeds are formed, most plants store an area for food reserve with the seed; this can be starch, proteins, or oils. This reserve of food provides the vital nourishment to the now growing embryo. Water is also important, because when the
There are several conditions that affect the germination of seeds. Most factors are external but there are also some internal conditions that affect the germination of seeds, even though this is quite rare. The most common and the most important external conditions and factors that affect the germination of seeds are oxygen, water, temperature and also in some cases light or darkness. Some plants require several variables for successful seed germination. As this is quite rare, this often depends on the individual seed and its natural habit.
Let’s focus on the most important factors that affect germination of seeds.
Firstly we have oxygen which is required by the seed that is germinating for metabolism. The O2 is used in the process of aerobic respiration which is the seedling’s source of energy until it grows. Oxygen can be found in soil pore spaces, as it is an atmospheric gas. If, for some reason, a seed is buried and placed too deeply within the soil or if the soil is waterlogged, the seed could be lacking oxygen. This means that the seed can be oxygen starved.
A second main factor that affects germination of seeds is water, also called the source of human existence. Water is required for germination of seeds. Many well-grown seeds often become extremely dry and need to absorb vital amounts of water until it is in equilibrium with the dry weight, after that cellular metabolism and growth of the seeds can proceed. There are also some other types of seed that only need enough of water to moisten themselves instead of enough to soak themselves. This process of uptake of water by seeds is defined as imbibition which later on leads to the swelling and the breaking of the seed coat. At the time when seeds are formed, most plants store an area for food reserve with the seed; this can be starch, proteins, or oils. This reserve of food provides the vital nourishment to the now growing embryo. Water is also important, because when the