Table of contents |
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Introduction |
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How does a Plant Grow from the Seed? |
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Dispersal of Seeds |
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Real-Life Examples |
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Some Amazing Facts |
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Some Myths about Plants |
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Structure of a Seed
Seed coat: The outer layer of a seed that protects it from damage, drying out, or getting wet is called the seed coat.
Hilum: It is a small opening in the seed coat that absorbs water.
Cotyledons: It is the fleshy parts inside the seed that store food for the baby plant.
Embryo: The baby plant inside the seed. It uses the food from the cotyledons until it can grow its own roots and leaves. The radicle grows into the root, and the plumule becomes the shoot.
Radicle: The part of the baby plant that grows into the root.
Plumule: The part of the baby plant that grows into the shoot.
Types of Seeds
The process by which a plant grows from a seed is called germination.
However, not only can the seeds form new plants, but some other parts of plants such as roots, leaves, and stems are also used to grow new plants out of them.
Example:
(i) Sweet potatoes can be grown from an old plant's roots. However, it is to be checked first whether the roots are still alive or not.
The roots of sweet potatoes used to grow new plants(ii) The stems of sugarcane and roses are used to grow new plants. The cutting of stem is planted into the soil, and after some time, a new plant grows out of it. This method is known as cutting.
A stem of the rose is used to grow a new plant(iii) Sometimes the stem is not separated from the tree. A branch of the tree, while still attached to the tree, is buried in the earth, and a new plant starts to grow from it after some time. It starts developing roots. Then it is detached from the parent plant. This method of using the stem to produce new plants is called layering.
Example: Jasmine
Process of Layering
(iv) Sometimes, the leaves of plants are also used to produce new plants, such as in Bryophyllum.
Bryophyllum has leaves on its leavesBut the most common method to grow plants remains through seeds.
The life cycle of a plant can be summed up in the image below with an example of a Sunflower.
Dispersal of seeds means spreading the seeds so that they can grow. Air, water, small insects, and animals help to disperse the seeds.
Dispersal of seeds by wind
Seed dispersal by water
Seed dispersal by Insects
Seed dispersal in Palm tree
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How does a Plant Grow from the Seed?
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Seeds used in a daily healthy diet
Florets on a Sunflower
Seeds of Strawberry on the outer side
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1. How do seeds germinate? | ![]() |
2. What factors affect the growth of a plant from a seed? | ![]() |
3. How do seeds disperse in nature? | ![]() |
4. Can you give examples of plants that grow from seeds? | ![]() |
5. What are some common myths about plants and their growth? | ![]() |