Identification of the different parts of an embryo of a

dicot seed (Pea, gram or red kidney bean)

Aim
To identify the different parts of an embryo of a dicot seed
(pea, gram or red kidney
bean).
Materials Required
Seeds of bengal gram/red kidney bean, forceps, cloth, magnifying glass, petridish,
water.

Theory

Procedure
 Soak a few bean seeds and keep them overnight.
 Drain the excess water.
 Cover the seeds with a moist cloth and keep them aside for a day.
 Peel off the seed coat carefully.
 Using your thumbs or the forceps, open the bean seed so that it falls into two halves.
 With the help of the magnifying glass, locate the parts of the bean embryo carefully.
 Draw a sketch of the inside of the dicot seed that you examined. Label all its parts.
Observations
 Been seed is kidney-shaped with a concave and convex side.
 The concave side which is slightly darker has a scar called hilum.
 Adjacent to hilum a small pore known as micropyle is present.
 The seed is covered by a seed coat.
 The embryo consists of two large, white and kidney-shaped cotyledons.
 The cotyledons are attached laterally to the curved embryonal axis.
 Rod shaped and slightly bulgy lower end of embryonal axis which lies towards micropylar
end is called radicle.
 Plumule is the upper end of embryonal axis.
 The part of embryo axis between radicle and attachment of cotyledon leaves is called
hypocotyl.
 The part of embryo axis between plumule and attachment of cotyledon leaves is called
epicotyl.

Result
 The embryo of dicot seeds consists of three main parts – plumule, radicle and two
cotyledons.
Precautions
 The cloth which is used to cover seeds should be moist and should not get dry.
 Seeds should be open carefully so that the embryo does not get damaged.