New
New
Year 9

Factors affecting seed germination: practical

I can plan and set up an investigation into factors affecting seed germination.

New
New
Year 9

Factors affecting seed germination: practical

I can plan and set up an investigation into factors affecting seed germination.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Some seeds (e.g. cress seeds) will germinate on cotton wool in the right conditions.
  2. Planning an investigation and writing a method for factors affecting the germination of seeds on cotton wool.
  3. Deciding which variable to change to become the independent variable and what values to investigate.
  4. Deciding which variable to measure to conclude on the effect (the dependent variable).
  5. Deciding which variables to keep the same to ensure a valid conclusion (control variables).

Keywords

  • Germination - Process where a plant grows from a seed.

  • Independent variable - Variable that you change or choose to investigate.

  • Dependent variable - Variable you measure to conclude on the effect of the independent variable.

  • Control variable - Variables that you keep the same.

  • Method - Describes how an investigation should be carried out, it has clear and detailed written instructions.

Common misconception

The independent variable is also measured, so this often gets confused with the dependent variable.

Use the definition for the dependent variable that it is being measured for the purpose of seeing what has happened at the end; the effect that the independent variable has had.

Carry out the investigation over a week, cress or mustard seeds can be used.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are true about seeds?
An image in a quiz
They are cells.
They are zygotes.
Correct answer: They are multicelluar.
Correct answer: They are living organisms.
Q2.
True or false? Seeds contain a food store.
Correct answer: True
False
Q3.
What is germination?
An image in a quiz
The process where fertilisation takes place.
The process where a seed is formed.
Correct answer: The process where a plant grows from a seed.
The process where the nuclei of gametes fuse together.
The process where a zygote is formed.
Q4.
What type of reproduction produces seeds?
Asexual
Correct answer: Sexual
Q5.
Put the following stages of development in the right order.
1 - Zygote
2 - Embryo
3 - Seed
4 - Seedling
5 - Plant
Q6.
What do plants need to grow?
Correct answer: Water
Correct answer: Space
A high temperature
Correct answer: Light
Correct answer: Nutrients

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these do cress seeds not need to germinate?
An image in a quiz
Water
Oxygen
Correct answer: Nutrient solution
Warmth
Q2.
Match the variable to its description.
Correct Answer:Independent,This is the variable that you change or choose in an investigation.

This is the variable that you change or choose in an investigation.

Correct Answer:Dependent,This is the variable that is measured.

This is the variable that is measured.

Correct Answer:Control,These are the variables that are kept the same.

These are the variables that are kept the same.

Q3.
Which of the following would not be part of a method?
Step-by-step instructions on how to carry out a scientific investigation.
The safety instructions.
A drawing of equipment used in an experiment.
A list of equipment used in an experiment.
Correct answer: A picture of the experimental results.
Q4.
What is the independent variable in an investigation into the effect of age on heart rate?
Correct Answer: age, the age, the age of the people
Q5.
What would be the dependent variable in an investigation into watering frequency on the height of sunflowers?
Correct answer: The height of the sunflower plants.
How much water the plants are given.
The type of soil they are planted in.
How often they are watered.
Q6.
If you are investigating watering frequency on plant height, what variables would you need to control?
Correct answer: The amount of soil.
The frequency you water the plants.
Correct answer: The amount of water.
Correct answer: The amount of light.
Correct answer: The amount of warmth.