Additional Experiments on Seed Germination

5. To see if carbon dioxide is given off by germinating seeds.

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Aim

To see if carbon dioxide is given off by germinating seeds.

Method

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram below:

2. Leave the seeds for one week and make sure the seeds are kept damp.

3. Observe the lime water after one week. Are there any changes? Record them

Results

Conclusion

Lime water is an indicator solution for carbon dioxide. In the presence of CO₂, lime water becomes milky white. If the water became a milky white colour at the end of this experiment, it means that carbon dioxide was given out by the seeds as they germinated.

This means the seeds are respiring. The seeds use oxygen from the air to use up the food supplies stored in the seeds. In this process, carbon dioxide is given out. As the food is used, energy is given out that the seeds need to germinate and start to grow.

• To see if energy is given out by germinating seeds
• Germinating and growing seedlings
• Looking at the structure of a seedling
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