Which of the following processes occurs when a seed develops into a new plant?

• A. Fertilization
• B. Germination
• C. Pollination
• D. Photosynthesis

Answer: (B)

Germination is the process that occurs when a seed develops into a new plant. It involves the seed absorbing water, swelling, and ultimately breaking through its outer coat. This process is initiated by environmental cues such as moisture, temperature, and in some cases, sunlight. Once the seed has absorbed sufficient water, metabolic processes are activated that allow the embryo within the seed to begin growing. As a result, the root emerges first, anchoring the plant into the soil, followed by the shoot that grows upward towards the light, eventually developing leaves.

Fertilization, on the other hand, refers to the union of male and female gametes, which occurs before a seed is formed. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, which is also a precursor to seed formation rather than a part of seed development. Photosynthesis is a process that occurs in the leaves of a plant once it has emerged from the seed and is growing, allowing it to convert sunlight into energy but is not directly related to the seed's development into a plant.