Plants

Germination is the process of the plant embryo sprouting a seedling after a period of dormancy in a seed. (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed., 2008) Dormancy comes from the Latin word meaning “to sleep.” This period of inaction in the seed is an adaptation to support the seed so it can survive though the harsh growing conditions. (Campbell, Reece, Urry, Cain, Qasserman, Minorsky & Jackson, 2008) Once these poor conditions are absent, the seed can then germinate. The seed will absorb the water, causing it to enlarge. The growing tip of the root will emerge from the seed, and the root will begin to grow. (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed., 2008)

All vascular plants have roots, which are multicellular organs used to secure the plant in the soil and absorb water and nutrients. (Campbell, Reece, Urry, Cain, Qasserman, Minorsky & Jackson, 2008) The root also stores carbohydrates, which is a product used in photosynthesis. (Whiting, D., 2011) The root has a root cap at the tip of the root to protect the apical meristem, which is a tissue in control of the root’s growth. Although it is not visible to the naked eye, the root cap benefits the root greatly. (New World Encyclopedia Contributors, 2004) It generates a greasy substance that acts like a lubricant for the root so that it can move through the soil more easily. The outer layer of the cells is called the epidermis, (Whiting, D., 2011) which forms from matured dermal tissue. The root develops root hairs from the epidermis, which allow the plant to absorb even more water and minerals. (Allen, K. Z., Armstrong, D. M., Bogin, B., Chubb, C., Culp, L., Cunningham, C. J… Wartski, L. M., 2002)

Tropisms are responses to directional stimuli that cause the plant to grow according...

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...rman, S. A., Minorsky, P. V., & Jackson, R. B. (2008). Biology. (8th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc.

Hangarter, R. P. (2000). Plants in motion. Retrieved from http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/starthere.html

New World Encyclopedia Contributors. (2004, April 08). Root. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/root

Plant-and-Flower-Guide. (2009). Tropism. Retrieved from http://www.plant-and-flower-guide.com/tropism.html

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2008). Germination. Retrieved from http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/germination.aspx

Whiting, D. (2011). Plant structures: roots. Retrieved from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/132.html

Whyte, D. (2013). How do roots grow when the direction of gravity changes?. Retrieved from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/PlantBio_p034.shtml