Question

If cotyledons are brought above the soil, the germination is:
A. Hypogeal
B. Epigeal
C. Vivipary
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The cotyledon is pushed above the soil in many dicotyledons, including beans, castor, and some monocotyledons, by rapid elongation of the hypocotyl, and they operate as photosynthetic organs until the seedling establishes. This process is known as epigeal germination.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Germination is the natural process of seeds developing into seedlings and young plants. All higher plants go through seed germination, which impacts crop yield and quality.
The cotyledons are pushed above ground during epigeal germination. The hypocotyl grows longer while the epicotyl stays the same length. The hypocotyl pushes the cotyledon upward in this manner.
In plants that exhibit this type of germination, the cotyledon contains very few nutrients. Rather, the first leaflets are already folded up inside it, and photosynthesis begins relatively quickly. Since the cotyledon is above ground, it is more vulnerable to damage such as night frost or grazing. The plant's evolutionary strategy is to produce a large number of seeds, from which a statistically significant number survive.

Additional information: Plants that exhibit epigeal germination require external nutrients to develop quickly, so they are more common in nutrient-rich soils. Plants also require relatively more sun rays for photosynthesis to occur. As a result, they are more commonly found in the field, at the edge of forests, or as pioneer species.

The correct option is B.

Note: Hypogeal germination occurs when the seed leaves or cotyledons remain below the soil surface during the germination process. Vivipary refers to the phenomenon of seeds germinating prematurely while still within or attached to the parent plant or fruit.