Grade 5 · Unit 1: Investigating plant growth

How seeds grow

Root first, then shoot – the story of germination.

Waking up

When a seed takes in water, it swells and the seed coat splits. This is the start of germination. The embryo begins to use its food store for energy.

A seed can take in so much water that it doubles in size. Soaked chickpeas show this clearly.

Root first

The first thing to grow out is the root. The root always grows down, whichever way up the seed was planted. It anchors the seed and takes in water.

The tiny root is called the radicle. Soon it grows root hairs that greatly increase the area for taking in water.

Then the shoot

Next, the shoot grows up towards the light. When it reaches the light, the first leaves open and turn green. Now the young plant – the seedling – can make its own food.

In some seeds, like beans, the seed leaves are pushed up out of the soil. In others, like rice and maize, they stay under the ground.

Sprouts we eat

Bean sprouts are seeds that have just germinated. People soak mung beans and chickpeas to sprout them. Sprouts are crunchy and full of goodness.

Sprouts must be grown and kept very clean, because germs also like warm, damp places.

What I learnt

• I can describe the stages of germination.
• I know that the root grows first and the shoot grows towards light.