Plant Reproduction: Fertilization

To protect the seed from injury, germs, and harsh weather

Step 1: The seed coat (testa) is the outermost covering of a seed. Step 2: Its PRIMARY job is protection — it protects the seed from physical injury, harmful germs (bacteria/fungi), and harsh weather conditions like heat, cold, and dryness. Step 3: The food for the baby plant is stored in the cotyledons (seed leaves), NOT in the seed coat. Step 4: Water absorption during germination is mainly done by the embryo/seed, and the seed coat actually becomes softer when soaked. Step 5: Floating in water for dispersal is a special feature of coconut seeds due to fibres, not the general function of all

Maize

A monocotyledon seed has only one seed leaf, also called one cotyledon. Maize is a monocot seed, while mango, pea and gram are dicot seeds with two cotyledons. So the correct example of a monocot seed is maize.

4 → 2 → 3 → 1

Step 1: The correct order of germination is: First, the seed absorbs water and swells up (event 4). Step 2: The swelling causes the seed coat to burst open (event 2). Step 3: The baby plant inside then develops its root first — roots always develop before the shoot (event 3). Step 4: Finally, the tiny green shoot emerges and pushes upward out of the ground (event 1). Step 5: This sequence — water absorption → seed coat bursting → root first → shoot emerging — is the standard germination process. Roots develop first to anchor the plant and absorb water before the shoot needs to grow upward.

The seed was damaged or unhealthy

Step 1: For germination to occur, a seed must have all the right conditions: healthy seed, right soil with minerals, adequate water, air, light, and warmth. Step 2: Riya already provided water, sunlight, and good soil — so most external conditions were met. Step 3: The most likely missing factor is that the seed itself was damaged or unhealthy. Step 4: A damaged seed cannot germinate even if all external conditions are perfect — the embryo inside must be alive and healthy. Step 5: Fertilizer is not a requirement for germination (seeds use food stored in cotyledons), and 'too many minerals' or