Experiment 4 Biology
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subhammohantycrescendocraftExperiment 4 Biology
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subhammohantycrescendocraftExperiment No-4
Aim of the experiment
To identify the different parts of an embryo of a dicot seed.
Theory
The process of fertilization in plants leads to the formation of fruits which
forms the ripened ovary. The seed can be one or many which form the
mature ovule.
A seed consists of the following parts:
• Hilum – It is a scar that is located on the seed coat, associated with the stalk of
the plant
• Seed coat – Forms the exterior covering of the plant, supplying with nourishment
and protection to the seed inside
• Endosperm – It is the tissue containing nutrients for the growth of the embryo
• Embryo – Several divisions of the zygote gives rise to this structure.
An embryo consists of the following parts:
• Radicle
• Plumule
• Cotyledons
On the basis of cotyledons in the seed, angiosperms can be classified into the
following:
• Monocots
• Dicots
Germination is the process wherein the micropyle present in one part of the
hilum takes up water. which under favourable conditions, such as suitable
light, temperature, air, etc, it uses up for the seedlings to develop into tiny,
immature embryonic plants from the seed coats.
Germination involves the following steps:
• Seeds swell, plumules develop into shoots
• From the radicle of the seeds, the roots arise
• Formation of cotyledons (one in monocots and two in dicots)
Material Required
• Seeds of red kidney bean/gram
• Forceps
• Magnifying glass
• Cloth
• Petri dish
• Water
Procedure
• Soak a few seeds overnight
• Next morning, drain the excess water out
• Now wrap the seeds in a clean and a moist cloth for a day, allow it to dry
• Next, carefully peel the seed coat
• With the help of forceps, dissect the seed so as to get two equal halves
• Examine with the help of a magnifying glass. Carefully identify and locate different
parts of the seed
• Sketch out the interior of the seed you examined labeling all the parts as shown in
the diagram.
Diagram
Observation
• The bean seed resembles the shape of a kidney. It has a convex and a concave
side
• A scar known as the hilum is observed on the slightly darker side of the concave
side
• A tiny pore known as the micropyle is located just adjacent to the hilum
• The seed is enclosed by a seed coat
• The embryo possesses two distinct and large cotyledons that resemble the shape
of a kidney and are white in color
• Lateral attachment of the cotyledons to the curved embryonal axis is observed
• Radicle is examined. It is the rod-shaped and lightly protrusive lower end of the
embryonal axis that is found placed towards the micropylar end.
• The upper end of the embryonal axis exhibits the plumule
• Hypocotyl is observed which is a section of the embryo axis found in between the
radicle and adjunct of cotyledon leaves
• The epicotyl is also observed which is the section of the embryo axis between the
adjunct of cotyledon leaves and plumule
Conclusion
Three principal parts of the embryo of dicot seeds are observed, they are:
• Cotyledons
• Plumule
• Radicle
Precautions
• Care needs to be taken while dissecting the seed as it may damage the seed
• The cloth that is used to wrap the seeds needs to be moist
