Question

Describe one experiment each you would perform to demonstrate the following phenomena:
​The germinating seeds ​
(b) Give out carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

Aim:​

Experiment demonstrating the fact that germinating seeds produce carbon dioxide.

Procedure:​

• Name two thermal flasks as ‘A’ and ‘B’,
• keep them asiAt the base of both the flasks, place wet cotton wool.
• Split the seeds into two equal groups approximately.
• The first group of seeds is boiled and killed. Dilute formalin or carbolic acid is used to prevent bacterial decay.
• The live germinating seeds need to be placed in flask A and the boiled/killed seeds in flask B.
• Seal the flasks with a cork, leave them undisturbed for a couple of days.

Observation: ​

• Germination of seeds in flask A is observed after a few days of the experimental setup. Flask B shows no signs of seed germination.
• Cork is removed to test the gases in each of the flasks. The flask is toppled over a test tube that contains limewater. The test tube is then shaken up.
• Indication of carbon dioxide as expected in flask A is observed when lime water turns milky, thereby depicting that germinating seeds produce carbon dioxide.
• The gas in flask B shows no effect upon coming in contact with limewater, indicating the absence of carbon dioxide

Conclusion :​

• The germinating seeds produce carbon dioxide. ​