The Germination Experiment
Visual comparison of 4 pots with different conditions.
Click to zoom
Seeds require the right balance of water and air to break their seed coat, but light is not strictly necessary until after sprouting.
Analyze the conditions required for seed germination and explain how plants respond to light and gravity.
Preview · progress not saved — Chapter 1 is free
Introduction to plant movement using Drosera (insectivorous plant).
Even though plants don't walk, they definitely move! The Drosera (an insectivorous plant) has saucer-shaped leaves with sticky, hair-like projections that actually bend inward to trap insects for nutrition.
Explanation of seed germination conditions.
Germination is the process where a dormant seed wakes up and begins to grow into a plant. For this process to kickstart, seeds require a very specific set of environmental conditions.
Visual comparison of 4 pots with different conditions.
Seeds require the right balance of water and air to break their seed coat, but light is not strictly necessary until after sprouting.
Explanation of root/shoot growth direction and J.C. Bose.
Plants might seem stationary, but they actively respond to external stimuli (events that trigger a reaction) as they grow. When a seed sprouts, it doesn't just grow randomly. Its roots are programmed to always grow downwards deeper into the soil, seeking moisture and stability.
Diagram showing inverted and light-directed plant growth.
Regardless of orientation, plant roots follow gravity downwards, while shoots fight gravity upwards and actively seek out light sources.
Multiple choice questions on germination and plant growth.
You are planting a garden and notice that the seeds you bought have a very hard, dry outer shell. Why is watering the soil essential for these seeds to begin germination?