A seed is a tiny, resting package that can grow into a new plant. It has three basic parts: the embryo (baby plant), the cotyledon (stored food), and the seed coat (tough cover).
Germination is the “wake-up” of a seed; when it receives water, air and suitable warmth, the baby plant breaks the seed coat and begins to grow.
Learn the five germination steps so you can sequence them correctly.
The dry seed drinks water and swells, waking the embryo.
The coat softens and cracks, clearing a path for the seedling.
The first root anchors the plant and absorbs more water.
The young stem rises toward light, carrying the seed leaves.
Green leaves make food; germination is complete.
Process where green leaves make glucose from water and carbon dioxide using sunlight energy, releasing oxygen.
Needs: sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll — the essentials plants cite when asked how they make food.
Remember the order of photosynthesis steps.
Sunlight energises chlorophyll in leaf cells.
Stomata open and carbon dioxide diffuses inside.
Roots push water up the stem to the leaves.
Light energy joins water and CO₂ to form glucose.
Unused oxygen moves out through stomata.
Think of the leaf as a kitchen mixing light, water and air into food!
Match each seed part to its job: protective cover, food store or baby plant.
Protective cover
Food store
Baby plant
Remember: the part you eat in a peanut is the cotyledon—the seed’s food store.
During photosynthesis, which gas is released by leaves?
This gas supports breathing for humans and animals.
Great! Oxygen is released as a by-product of photosynthesis.
Not quite. Leaves give off oxygen, not the gas you chose.
Each seed protects an embryo with stored food and a hard coat.
Water, air and warmth trigger the embryo to sprout.
Root anchors downward first; the shoot rises and unfolds leaves.
Leaves use sunlight, water and CO₂ to make food for the plant.
Photosynthesis frees O₂, helping animals and humans breathe.