Seeds and Seeds Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 5

Introduction

The chapter “Seeds and Seeds” is about seeds, different types of seeds, and seed sprouting. It describes how seeds travel from one place to another. It also tells us about some seeds of different vegetables that came to India from different countries.

Gopal’s Experience with Soaking Chana

Story Overview: 

• Gopal is excited about his cousins visiting. 
• His mother asks him to soak two small bowls of chana (gram) before she leaves for the night. 
• Gopal, worried that it wouldn't be enough, decides to soak double the amount. 
• When his mother returns, she finds an excessive amount of soaked chana.

Soaked Chana

Lesson: 

• Soaked seeds expand. 
• Gopal’s mother explains that soaked chana can be sprouted, which makes it healthier, and she prepares some for Gopal’s aunt as advised by her doctor.

What is Seed?

A seed is a small part of a plant that has the potential to grow into a new plant.

Groeth from seed to plant

• Basic Needs: For growth, a seed requires air, water, and nutrients from the soil.

• Structure: Seeds are like baby plants encased in a protective covering called the seed coat.

• Formation: Seeds are formed as a result of plant reproduction.

• Germination: When a seed receives enough water, air, and warmth, it begins to grow in a process known as germination.

• Growth Process: The transformation from a tiny seed to a large plant involves:

  • Breaking of the seed coat
  • Sprouting of roots
  • Development of leaves

What is a sprout?

A sprout is a germinated seed in which the stem and root have come out. It is nutritious so is used for eating.

Sprouts

How to make sprouts

• Take some chana or moong in a bowl.
• Fill the bowl with water and keep the bowl overnight.
• Drain out the water from the bowl the next day.
• Tie the seeds in a wet cloth and hung them someplace.
• Keep the cloth damp by making it wet regularly.
• After 2 days you will see seed sprouts.

Conditions Necessary to make Sprouts.

• Both water and air are necessary for the formation of sprouts.
• If seeds are kept soaked in water they will not sprout.
• If they are kept in the air only, they will not sprout.

Plants Which Hunt

• Some plants trap and eat insects, frogs and even mice.
• The Pitcher plant (Nepenthes) is one such plant.
• It is found in Australia, Indonesia and Meghalaya in India.

Pitcher Plant

• It has a pitcher-like shape and its mouth is covered with a leaf.
• The plant has a special smell that attracts insects.
• When an insect lands on the mouth of the plant, it slips into the pitcher and cannot get out.

So many Seeds!

• Colour, Shape and Texture of Seeds: Seeds have different shapes, colours and textures.

• Here are different seeds, their colours and their textures.

Different Seeds and their texture

Wandering Seeds

Plants cannot move they are fixed at one place where they grow but their seeds are great travellers. They can reach far and wide. The seeds travel from one place to another by following methods: 

1. By Air

Some seeds are light and can float in the wind. They have special features like fluff or wings that help them fly through the air.

• Example: Cotton seeds have fluffy tufts that allow them to float in the air.
• Another Example: Drumstick (Moringa) seeds have wing-like structures that help them glide to a new place.

Cotton seeds floating in the air2. By Water

Some seeds can float on water. They are carried by rivers or rain to different places.

• Example: Coconut seeds float on water and can travel long distances, often landing on beaches to grow.
• Another Example: Lotus seeds float on the surface of ponds and rivers until they find a place to grow.

3. By Animals and Birds 

Some seeds stick to animals' fur or get eaten by animals and birds. These animals help carry the seeds to new locations.

• Example: Mango seeds are eaten by animals, and the seeds are later dropped in different places, allowing new trees to grow.

Velcro and the idea of making it

Velcro is a material with tiny hooks and loops that stick together. It is used in clothes, shoes, bags, and many other things for easy fastening.

Example of Velcro

• In 1948, George Mestral got the idea of making Velcro after a walk with his dog.
• He noticed seeds sticking to his clothes and his dog's fur.
• Curious, he observed the seeds closely and found that they had small hooks that helped them stick to fur and fabric.
• This observation inspired him to create Velcro, a material with tiny hooks that can stick.

Who came from where?

There are so many fruits and vegetables that we grow or see around us that were not grown in past. 

• They came to India from different countries. 
• Here is a flowchart which shows some common fruits and vegetables and where they came from.

Q. What all was grown in India long ago?
Ans: 
Long ago, many plants were grown in India that we still see today. Here are some examples:

  View Answer