ICSE Class 9 Answered

Germination of corn seed begins with the seed absorbing water, which leads to swelling and a softening of a seed’s coat or testa. The water initiates biochemical activity in the seed. Monocots have starchy seeds and need about 30% moisture content to germinate. After this, internal processes such as cell respiration, protein synthesis and metabolism of food stores. After this, cell division and elongation occur, pushing out the seed’s root and radicle. In monocots, the root that emerges is covered by a coleorhiza, or sheath. Its seedlings’ leaves then come forth, sheathed in a layer known as a coleoptile.