Germination

• • Germination is the start of growth in the seed
• A seed contains a zygote (the fertilised egg cell), which divides into cells that then develop into the embryo plant
• Structures known as cotyledons surround the embryo. Some plants have one cotyledon, whereas others have two
• • Cotyledons contain food reserves that supply the young seedling with food (and, therefore, energy for growth) when the seed starts to germinate
  • The cotyledons fulfil this role until the young plant grows its own leaves and becomes capable of making its own food via photosynthesis
• After taking in water, the seed coat (testa) splits. This leads to the production of the plumule (the first emerging shoot) and radicle (the first emerging root)
• The plumule is the first emerging shoot (from a seed)
• The radicle is the first emerging root (from a seed)