CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SEEDS TO GERMINATE

Lab # _____ Date: ______________

Aim: To determine the conditions necessary for seeds to germinate.

Apparatus: The apparatus was set up as shown below:

A B C D E

Anhydrous Oil
Red Bean Calcium Cotton Boiled and
Seed Chloride Wool Cooled
Water

Method:

1. Label five boiling tubes A, B, C, D and E respectively.

2. Place a small piece of cotton wool into tubes A, C and D.
3. Soak the cotton wool with water.
4. Place a few spatulas of Anhydrous Calcium Chloride into tube B and place a piece of dry cotton
wool on top of it.
5. Place 2 seeds into each tube.
6. Add boiled and cooled water to tube E and pour a thin layer of oil on top.
7. Cover tubes B, C and D with cotton wool and tube E with a rubber bung.
8. Place tubes A and E in an open space. (Not in direct sunlight. It can be left in the lab).
9. Place tube B in a space that is dry and will not come into contact with moisture.
10. Place tube C in a dark cupboard. (You can also wrap the tube with foil if you wish).
11. Place tube D into the refrigerator.

© Ron Mahabalsingh 2015

 12. After 1 week look for signs of germination and measure the average height of the shoot (if
present).
13. Record your results in a suitable table.

Results:

Tube Variable Manipulated Germination (Y/N) Avg. height of shoot

(cm)
A Control
B Water
C Light
D Temperature
E Air

Discussion:

1. Which tube(s) showed the greatest growth? What were the conditions absent?
2. Which tube(s) showed little or no growth? What were the conditions absent?
3. Based on your answers for 1 and 2, what are the conditions necessary for seeds to germinate?
4. Why was the water boiled and cooled in tube E?
5. What was the purpose of using the oil in tube E?
6. Why was the temperature lowered in tube D rather than raised?
7. State TWO precautions / sources of error OR limitations.

Conclusion: The conditions necessary for germination to occur are

Mark Scheme: Conditions Necessary for Seeds to Germinate

CRITERIA TESTED: OBSERVATION, RECORDING AND REPORTING

ACCURACY OF RECORDING OBSERVATIONS IN A TABLE MARKS

(i) Germination present or absent in each tube (5 x 1) 5
(ii) Record of average height in each tube (5 x 1) 5
10

© Ron Mahabalsingh 2015

CRITERIA TESTED: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

SUMMARISES DATA MARKS

(i) Conditions absent in tube(s) with greatest growth 2
 All conditions - 2
 Some conditions - 1
 None - 0
(ii) Conditions absent in tube(s) with least growth 2
 All conditions - 2
 Some conditions - 1
 None - 0
(iii) States the conditions needed for seeds to germinate 3
EVALUATES DATA
(iv) Suggests why the temperature was lowered and not raised 1
(v) States two precautions / sources of error / limitations 2
10

CXC SYLLABUS COVERAGE: REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH

© Ron Mahabalsingh 2015