Question

Describe the germination of a bean seed. Draw neat, labelled diagrams to support your answer.

Answer 1

Germination of bean seeds:

1. Germination is the process of development of a new plant from a dormant embryo within the seed under the availability of suitable conditions like temperature, water, air, and light.
2. During germination, bean seeds absorb water and swell up, this results in the rupture of the seed coat. Further development of seed takes place in the following steps:
3. Plumule: During germination, the plumule emerges out of the seed coat and grows upwards to produce the main shoot.
4. Radicle: Similarly, at the time of germination, the radicle elongates in the downward direction rapidly to give rise to the primary root.
5. Cotyledons: These are structures that store reserve food for the germinating bean seed and produce the first leaf of the plant.