Seed Structure and Germination of Seeds

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Seed Structure and Germination of Seeds

Investigation 14.1 To examine the structure of a sword bean or broad bean seed - a dicotyledonous, non-endospermic seed
Procedure
1.
Examine the seed that has been soaked in water for about a day. The seed is about 2.5 cm long. It has a thick seed-coat or testa. Note the long, black or brown scar, the hilum, at one edge of the testa. The hilum marks the region where the seed was attached to the fruit. At one end of the hilum is a small opening known as the micropyle where water enters the seed. Locate the micropyle by squeezing the seed gently and note how water oozes out through it. Make fully-labelled drawings of the external features of the seed. Label the following structures: testa, hilum, micropyle, position of the developing root (radicle).
2.
External features of seed Magnification = X
3.
Next remove the testa to reveal the young plant, i.e. the embryo. The embryo consists of two large, creamy cotyledons, a developing shoot (plumule) and a developing root. Since there are two cotyledons the seed is dicotyledonous. Cotyledons are modified leaves. They are thickened with food reserves so that they look quite different from the foliage leaves of the same plant. They store mainly starch and proteins. You can confirm this by carrying out food tests on the cotyledons. Separate the cotyledons. Look for the developing shoot and root. The developing shoot lies between the cotyledons and is protected by them. Use a hand lens to examine the minute leaves of the developing shoot. Make a labelled drawing of what you see.
4.
Seed with testa removed and cotyledons separated
5.
Calculate the magnification of your drawing. Magnifica tion
=X
=X
size of drawing size of specimen
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Investigation 14.2
To investigate the conditions essential for germination
Procedure
1. Take four specimen tubes and place a wad of cotton wool in each tube. Drop five peas into each tube.
specimen tube alkaline pyrogallol seeds in dry cotton wool seeds in damp cotton wool seeds in damp cotton wool
tube placed in refrigerator
seeds in damp cotton wool
Tube J
Tube 2
Tube 3
Tube 4
Fig. 14.2
Tube 1 Leave it as it is. Therefore the seeds lack moisture. Tube 2 Add sufficient boiled, cooled water to moisten the cotton wooL Lower a test tube containing a solution of alkaline pyrogallol into the tube. Stopper the tube. The alkaline pyrogallol will absorb all the oxygen in this tube. Hence the seeds lack oxygen. Tube 3 Add sufficient water to moisten the cotton wool. The seeds here are provided with both water and oxygen.
Place all the three tubes in a warm place (e.g. in the laboratory at room temperature, about 30C).
Tube 4 Moisten the cotton wool with water and place the jar in a cold place, e.g. in the refrigera tor.
2. 3.
Examine the seeds in the four tubes daily. In which tube do the seeds germinate well?
4.
What happens to the seeds in Tube I, Tube 2 and Tube 4?

Tube 1: Tube 2: Tube 4 :
5.
From your investigation, state the three conditions essential for germination.
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Investigation 14.3
Question from Singapore-Cambridge GCE '0' level Science Practical Examination, November 1985
~~dMat~~
Procedure
Place equal amounts of the hydrogen carbonate indicator provided into each of the four test tubes standing in the rack or other holder. Label the test tubes A to D. Into test tube A place five dried peas and into test tube B place five germinating peas. Now proceed as follows: (a) Use the straw provided to blow air through the indicator in test tube C. (i) What colour change do you see?
(ii)
Why does the indicator change colour?
(b)
Shake test tubes A and B from time to time and notice any colour changes.
(i)
Which test tube changes colour first?
What colour change do you see?
(ii)
By comparing the colour change with that in part (a), what gas is being produced by the peas?
(iii)
Which process, taking place in the peas, causes the change in colour of the indicator solution?
(iv)
Explain fully why the indicator solution changes colour in one test tube (A or B) and not in the other test tube.
(v)
Why is test tube D included in this experiment?
[C]

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Seed Structure and Germination of Seeds

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Name:

Seed Structure and Germination of Seeds

External features of seed Magnification = X

Seed with testa removed and cotyledons separated

Calculate the magnification of your drawing. Magnifica tion

size of drawing size of specimen

To investigate the conditions essential for germination

tube placed in refrigerator

seeds in damp cotton wool

What happens to the seeds in Tube I, Tube 2 and Tube 4?

Why does the indicator change colour?

Which test tube changes colour first?

What colour change do you see?

Why is test tube D included in this experiment?

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