Question

Why do some seeds undergo a period of dormancy, and how do they break dormancy?

a) Seeds undergo dormancy to conserve energy; they break dormancy due to environmental factors like temperature changes.
b) Seeds undergo dormancy to survive adverse conditions; they break dormancy due to water availability.
c) Seeds undergo dormancy to protect themselves from predators; they break dormancy due to exposure to sunlight.
d) Seeds undergo dormancy to prolong their life cycle; they break dormancy due to carbon dioxide availability.

Answer 1

Seeds remain dormant to survive until favorable conditions return, often requiring environmental cues like moisture or temperature changes to break dormancy and facilitate germination.

Step-by-step explanation:

Seeds undergo a period of dormancy to survive adverse conditions such as the extreme cold and dryness of winter. Dormancy helps ensure that seeds remain viable and do not germinate until conditions are favorable for the growth of new plants. This state of inactivity is marked by low metabolic activity and can last from months to even centuries. Breaking dormancy typically occurs due to specific environmental factors, including changes in moisture levels, temperature, and light exposure. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a key role by inducing dormancy and preventing germination during unfavorable conditions. When conditions improve, levels of ABA decrease and germination can occur as a result of warmth, increased moisture, or other factors like scarification, which is a process that can weaken thick seed coats and make them more permeable to water and gases.