Seeds and germination
 The seed of a dicotyledonous plant has three main parts: the seed coat - a tough protective outer covering; the embryo - consisting of the young root and shoot which will develop into the adult plant; and the food store - a store of food for the young plant to use until it is large enough to make its own food.
Germination is the start of growth in the seed. Three factors are required for successful germination;
- water - allows the seed to swell up and the embryo to start growing
- oxygen - so that energy can be released for germination
- a suitable temperature - germination improves as temperature rises (up to a maximum)
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