FFA Floriculture Practice Test

What process describes the development of a plant from a seed or spore?

1. Photosynthesis

2. Pollination

3. Germination

4. Transplanting

The correct answer is: Germination

The process that describes the development of a plant from a seed or spore is germination. During germination, the seed absorbs water, swells, and breaks through the seed coat, allowing the embryonic plant to begin growth. This is a critical stage in a plant's life cycle because it marks the transition from a dormant state within the seed to an active growing state. Germination involves various physiological changes; for example, enzymes are activated that promote the growth of the seedling's roots and shoots. Essential nutrients stored in the seed are utilized to fuel this initial growth until the developing plant can produce its own food through photosynthesis. While photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, it occurs later in a plant's development, after germination has led to the formation of leaves capable of this function. Pollination is involved in reproduction, specifically the transfer of pollen to fertilize ovules, and does not pertain to the initial growth from a seed or spore. Transplanting refers to moving a plant from one location to another, which takes place well after germination has occurred. Thus, germination is the accurate and pertinent term for the specific process of a plant developing from a seed or