Germination — Science definition
The resumption of growth when a seed takes up water and mobilises its food store; the root emerges before the shoot.
Where it is taught
- Flowers, Seeds & Plant Life Cycles — Coordination, Defense & Reproduction, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
In use
Germination is the resumption of growth: water is taken up, the stored food is mobilised, the root emerges first to anchor and absorb, then the shoot.
Flowers, Seeds & Plant Life Cycles
Questions using germination
Problem 1
Why can early germination occur before a seedling has green leaves?
Answer and explanation
The seed can use stored resources and cellular respiration to support initial growth.
Problem 2
Why is the same germination treatment not automatically best for every plant species?
Answer and explanation
Species can have different requirements and tolerances. Evidence from one species and interval needs qualification before generalizing.
Response criteria
- Explain the relevant biological process accurately.
- Use the supplied evidence and show calculation steps with units where needed.
- Connect a labeled model or mechanism with the claim.
- State an assumption, evidence limitation, or useful next observation.
Problem 3
Eight of ten seeds germinate. Find germination percentage.
Answer and explanation
80 %
8/10×100=80%.