Plants go through different stages of development. In many parts, development begins immediatelyl after fertilization. In the bean plant, for example, the embryo or tiny plant reaches complex stage of development with the seed. When the seed matures, the embryo stops developing and remains dormant untill conditions are favorable for further development. The first structure to appear when the seeds germinates is the embryonic root. The sytem appears next carrying up with it one or two green cotyledons as its grows. Each cotyledon contains food and nutrient for the young, developing seedling.
In activity 4.1 you will study the plant embryos of mature bean and corn seeeds. In activity 4.1 you will observe the changes in the seeds during development.
Activity 4.1 Observing Plant Embryos
Materials:
soybean or kidney seeds soaked in water overnight
Corn seeds, soaked overnight
Petri dish
Hands lens
Razor blade
Iodine solution
Dropper
Compound microscope
Fikter paper or white cotton cloth
Procedure:
Remove the seed coat of the soaked beans.
Separate the cotyledons.
Remove the embryo from the cotyledons and place it on moist filter paper cotton cloth in a petri dish.
Look at the embryo with a hand lens. Draw the embryo.
This time, put a corn seed on a piece of filter paper or white cloth in a petri dish.
Cut the corn seed vertically into halves.
Put a drop of iodine solution on the cut surfaces. The part that does not turn back, blue black, or violet is the corn embyo.
Wow! I missed Science