Question

The different stages in the germination of a seed are listed below.
L - The first leaves appear

M - The radicle grows downwards
N - The hypocotyl elongates

O - Water is absorbed
Arrange the stages in sequence, starting from the moment the seed drops into the soil.

• A. L, M, N, O
• B. O, N, M, L
• C. M, L, N, O
• D. O, M, N, L

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

O, M, N, L

The first step in the germination process is the metabolic activation of a dormant seed:

• Germination begins with the absorption of water, which causes gibberellin to be produced
• Gibberellin triggers the synthesis of amylase, which breaks down starch into maltose

• Maltose is either hydrolyzed (to glucose) for energy or polymerized (to cellulose) for cell wall formation.

• This energy and cellular building blocks are used to promote cell division and the growth of a nascent shoot.
• Once the seed is metabolically activated, germination proceeds according to the following stages:
• The seed coat (testa) ruptures and the embryonic root (radical) grows into the ground to extract key nutrients and minerals

• The cotyledon emerges and produces the growing shoot’s first leaves

• The growing plant can be divided into the epicotyl (embryonic shoot), hypocotyl (embryonic stem) and developing roots.

So, the correct answer is 'O, M, N, L'.