Laboratory Investigation # 8
Germination and Seedling Growth
Description of the Lab
This lab will allow the student to observe variation in seed shape and sizes and
Outline of Investigation
1. Structure of Seeds
A. The variety of seeds on hand both garden and wild species.
Peas and beans seeds that have been soaked in water overnight
Peas and beans seeds that have not been soaked overnight
2. Structure of Seedlings
A. Pea and bean seedlings that have been sown 2 days before
the lab. Grow in vermiculite.
Paper towels
Suggestion: Vermiculite is used in shipping chemicals, so see if the
Chemistry department has some to give you.
3. Importance of Stored Food in Seedling Growth
Two sets of bean seedlings grown until they emerged from the soil.
Laboratory Materials and Equipment for Student Use
Materials and Equipment
Per
Student
Per Pair of
Students
Per Lab
Group
Per
Room
Dissecting microscope
1
Metric rulers
1
Fresh live material
Variety of seeds including those of both
garden and wild species; dry and
imbibed
Corn, peas, and beans soaked overnight
Two, four, and ten day old corn, pea, and
grown for 7 to 10 days after cotyledon
removal
Dropper bottle with iodine solution.
1
Reagents
Iodine
1. Weigh 4 grams of potassium iodine.
2. Add potassium iodine to 300 mL of distilled water.
Preparation of laboratory Materials and Reagents
Two week prior to the lab
1. Prepare planting trays for seeds
1. Plant the 2 groups of bean seeds for Investigation 3
4 days prior to the lab
1. Plant pea, bean and corn seeds for Investigation 2
Questions for Lab #8 Germination & Seedling Growth
Use the knowledge you acquired in this lab exercise, along with information from your
textbook, to answer the following questions.
1. What are the functions of the following seed structures: seed coat; radicle; embryonic
shoot; the endosperm; two cotyledons in eudicots; one cotyledon in monocots;
endosperm?
Seed coat – protective outer layer enclosing seed
2. What is the distinctive feature that separates a eudicot seed from monocot seed?
Eudicots have 2 cotyledons that became large and thick storing the nutrients so seeds
3. Seed size varies because seeds store different amounts of food in the endosperm
and/or cotyledons. How does this affect the depth at which seeds can be planted?
4. What portion of the seed gives rise to the seedling?
5. What is the distinction between the hypocotyl and the epicotyl (plumule)? How do
peas and beans differ during emergence with respect to these two stem sections?
Both are part of the radicle with the hypocotyl being the portion connecting the
6. An old proverb says “mighty oaks from little acorns grow”. Does the embryo of the
acorn contain all the leaves, stems, and roots of the mighty oak?
7. What is the function of the coleoptile?