Exploring Seed Germination Name _____________________

Regents Biology Date _________ per __________

Lab # ______

Part 1: Exploring Seed Germination

Getting Started

Introduction: Seeds are remarkable living things. A seed protects a plant embryo (seed part that develops into a mature plant) and prevents it from drying out. It also stores carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that a rapidly growing young plant uses as a source of energy and as building blocks for growth. Given the proper environmental conditions, a tiny embryo will germinate (emerge from the seed and begin to grow). Many environmental factors can affect seed germination. Seeds from different plant species require different environmental conditions to begin to grow.

1. List at least 5 environmental factors that you think might affect seed germination:

Regents Biology II Honors – Refer to your text, Biology- Principles & Explorations, pp. 534, 538-540, 554, 571-572, & 585

2. Label the following diagram using the terms below (p. 572).

seed coat stem roots

cotyledons leaves seedling

3. Answer the following questions about seeds.

a) What part of a seed develops into a mature plant (see introduction)?

b) How does the cotyledon help the plant embryo during its development

(pp. 539 & 571)?

c) What is the job of the seed coat (pp. 534 & 571)?

d) What happens when a seed germinates (p. 572)?

e) How is a seedling different from an embryo (pp. 571-572)?

f) What part of the seedling emerges first when a seed germinates (p. 572)?

g) What is the role of a root (p. 554)?

h) Where does most of the photosynthesis occur in a plant (p. 554)?

i) What is a job of a stem (p. 554)?

j) What is seed dormancy (pp. 534 & 585 )?

5. You have now gathered some background information about germination. Refer back to your list of factors that you initially thought might affect seed germination (question 1, p. 1).

a) List any factors that you would like to remove from the original list.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

b) List any factors that you would like to add to the original list.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

6. On the following page, create a concept map of all of the factors that you and your classmates think might affect seedling germination. Your teacher will help to guide you.

Exploring Seed Germination Name _____________________

Regents Biology Date _________ per __________

Part 2: Exploring Seed Germination – Selecting Environmental Factor

You will be designing and conducting an experiment about seed germination. You will select an environmental factor and a type of seed to investigate. Refer to the scoring chart (rubric) which shows how your teacher will award points for this part of the project.

1. a) List the members of your lab team (include yourself):

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

b) Record the team number provided by your teacher.

Team # __________

2. Select an environmental factor that your group would like to investigate.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3. Use a minimum of two reference sources and gather background information about the environmental factor that you have selected. Record any notes and reference information in the space below. Be sure to include all information necessary for a bibliography.

Reference 1:

Source (book, internet, etc.): ________________________________________

Title: ___________________________________________________________

Author: _________________________________________________________

Additional bibliographical information (see library reference sheet):

Notes:

Reference 2:

Source (book, internet, etc.): ________________________________________

Title: ___________________________________________________________

Author: _________________________________________________________

Additional bibliographical information (see library reference sheet):

Notes:

4. Select an organism seed type) that your group would like to study.

Note: The same environmental factor may have a different effect on a different species. For example, light may effect germination of one seed type, but not another.

Common name : _________________________

Scientific name (genus species) : _________________________

5. Obtain teacher approval.