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Lab : The Effects Of Sodium Chloride On Seed Germination

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Lab Report 1: The effects of Sodium Chloride on Seed Germination
INTRODUCTION
Germination is the process in which plant seeds sprout into a seedling to further develop into a mature plant. (Lab manuel). In order for germination to occur, the imbibition must occur, which is the uptake of water by the seed. Once the seed takes in the water, the seed will then expand and this process will lead to the activation of enzymes. These enzymes will either process starch into sugar or digest proteins into amino acids. Cellular respiration will occur next, which will release the energy that is needed for the seed to continue growing.
However, there are more factors that determine the growth of a plant and germination process. Germination of seeds is greatly influenced by environmental stressors such as soil water conditions and salinity, eventually affecting revegetation success http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.uttyler.edu:2048/science/article/pii/S0925857417301179 . Environmental conditions must be favorable in order for the germination process to begin. First, temperature must be optimal for the plant. Depending upon the plant species, some seeds may prefer a cooler temperature than others. Light is another factor that can affect the germination process. Some plants prefer direct sunlight while others may prefer partial shade or total shade. Soil acidity can also impact the rate of germination. Salts reduce the osmotic potential of water, increasing the energy that plants use to

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