Germinating seeds in practicals: respiration, controls and handling
Recognise germination structures and distinguish specimen condition from measured respiration, with separate controls for absorbents and apparatus.
Germinating seeds are living material used to investigate respiration. Their visible development helps describe the specimen, but a photograph of a root is not a measurement of oxygen uptake or carbon dioxide release.
The teacher assigns the seed species, batch, condition, quantity and measurement method. Use those supplied specimens rather than substituting seeds collected from another source.
Identify the stage of germination
Record the named specimen and its preparation history where supplied. Seeds at different stages need not have the same metabolic activity, even when equal masses are used.
- Seed. Shows the seed from which the root emerges. We have not identified its species.
- Emerging root. Shows root growth during germination. The photo does not measure respiration.
Stock photograph for illustration by Fez Brook on Pexels. Germinating seeds with roots emerging. Species is unspecified. The photo does not show Eclat's specimens or demonstrate safe handling.
The labels show a seed and an attached emerging root. Species is unspecified. This picture does not verify the seeds' cleanliness, viability, treatment or suitability for a particular lesson.