CBSE Class 6 Answered

A seed is the embryo of a new plant that is capable of germinating to produce a new plant. Seed are living because they need water, sunlight and soil to grow. When a seed in buried in soil, it is in the dormant stage. At this time, it utilizes small amounts of stored energy in order to stay alive. Seeds wait to germinate until they are provided with plenty of water, sufficient sunlight, optimum temperature and humidity and a good nutrient medium such as soil. 

During its early stages of growth, the seedling relies on the food supplies stored with it in the seed until it is large enough for its own leaves to begin making food through the process of photosynthesis. On germination, the roots of seedlings push down into the soil to anchor the new plant and absorb water and minerals from the soil. The stem of the new plantlet with new leaves pushes up toward the light. The germination stage ends when a shoot emerges from the soil. Plants need water, warmth, nutrients from the soil, and light to continue to grow. 

Predators and pathogens can damage or kill the seed while it is still in the fruit or after it is dispersed. Environmental conditions like flooding or heat can kill the seed before or during germination. The age of the seed affects its health and germination ability. Since the seed has a living embryo, over time cells die and cannot be replaced. Some seeds can live for a long time before germination, while others can only survive for a short period after dispersal before they die.