Question

An enzyme that can stimulate germination of barley seeds is ............

• A. Protease
• B. Invertase
• C. $\alpha$ - amylase
• D. Lipase

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$\alpha$ - amylase

The embryo of a seed is a rich source of gibberellins. After water is imbibed, the release of gibberellins from the embryo signals the seed to break dormancy and germinate. Some seeds that require particular environmental conditions to germinate, such as exposure to light or low temperatures, break dormancy if they are treated with gibberellins. Gibberellins support the growth of cereal seedlings (example Barley) by stimulating the synthesis of digestive enzymes such as alpha-amylase that mobilize stored nutrients.

So, the correct answer is '$\alpha$ - amylase'