NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Most seeds need enough water to moisten the seeds but not enough to soak them. The uptake of water by seeds is called imbibition, which leads to the swelling and the breaking of the seed coat. When seeds are formed, most plants store a food reserve with the seed, such as starch, proteins, or oils.

Detailed explanation-2: -Water dissolves the minerals in the soil so that they become available to the seed. Because water has a neutral pH, it balances the soil pH and makes it favorable for seed germination. Imbibition of water causes the seed coat to swell and allows the cells of the embryo to rehydrate.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water plays an important role in seed germination. It helps by providing necessary hydration for the vital activities of protoplasm, provides dissolved oxygen for the growing embryo, softens the seed coats and increases the seed permeability.

Detailed explanation-4: -When soaked in water, the seeds swell up due to imbibition and endosmosis. During these two processes water enters the cell. Due to endosmosis, at some point, the seed coat is unable to bear the turgor pressure and hence, the seed coat bursts.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water is considered the primary germination regulator, as germination begins with seed imbibition. Sufficient moisture must be present for germination to take place. Some research studies stated that a lack of water availability is the primary limitation affecting seed germination [14, 15].