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Basic 3 · Science · Life Cycle of Organism

What Seeds Need to Germinate

In this topic you will set up maize and bean seeds to germinate and learn what they need.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Explain germination
  • Name what seeds need to germinate
  • Set up a germination test

What you already know

  • Parts of a plant (Basic 2)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Cycles
Sub-strand
Life Cycle of Organism
Indicator
B3.2.2.1.2 – Observe the germination of maize and bean seeds

Introduction

A dry bean seed in a tin stays the same for months. Put it on wet cotton wool and in a few days it starts to grow. This is germination.

1. What is Germination?

Germination: When a seed starts to grow into a young plant.

2. What Seeds Need

Conditions for germination
NeedWhy
waterwakes the seed up and makes it swell
airthe seed needs air to get energy
warmthseeds grow best when it is warm

Seeds do not need light to start germinating, but the young plant needs light to grow well.

3. Setting Up the Test

  1. Put damp cotton wool in three clear jars.
  2. Put two bean seeds and two maize seeds in each jar.
  3. Jar A: keep the cotton wool damp.
  4. Jar B: keep the cotton wool dry.
  5. Jar C: fill with water so the seeds are under water.
  6. Watch for one week.
Three jars of seeds on cotton wool: damp, dry and underwater
Figure 1: Germination test Draw the three jars and label them.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

germination
When a seed starts to grow.
seed
The part of a plant that grows into a new plant.
condition
Something needed for a thing to happen.
swell
To get bigger.

Summary

  • Germination is when a seed starts to grow.
  • Seeds need water, air and warmth to germinate.
  • Only seeds with water and air (Jar A) will germinate.

Class activity: Jar Test

  1. Set up jars A, B and C.
  2. Predict which seeds will grow.
  3. Check every day and record what you see.

You need: Bean, Maize seeds, Cotton wool in clear jars, Cup of water

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. When a seed starts to grow, it is…

    • A. Germinating
    • B. Melting
    • C. Freezing
    • D. Flowering
    Show answer
    Answer: GerminatingThat is germination.

  2. 2. Which jar will germinate?

    • A. Damp cotton wool
    • B. Dry cotton wool
    • C. Under water
    • D. None
    Show answer
    Answer: Damp cotton woolIt has water and air.

  3. 3. Seeds need water to germinate.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueWater wakes the seed.

  4. 4. Seeds under water germinate best.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseThey have no air.

  5. 5. Seeds need water, air and ______ to germinate.

    Show answer
    Answer: warmthThese are the three conditions.

  6. 6. Why do seeds in dry cotton wool not germinate?

    Show answer
    Answer: They have no water.Water is needed.

Homework

  1. Set up a bean seed on damp cotton wool at home and watch it.