Key Scientific Knowledge

Seeds:
Seeds are the reproductive tool of a plant and therefore
are a living organism. The seed structure includes an
embryo, endosperm and hull (Australian Seeds Authority,
2013).

Germination:
Seeds remain dormant until they are exposed to oxygen
and water. Imbibition causes the seed to swell and ruptures
the seed coat allowing the radicle to emerge. Respiration
reactivates the metabolic activity which feeds the plant and
spurs growth (Kumar, 2016).
Seed dispersal:
Seed dispersal refers to the removal of a seed from the
parent plant to another location; ensuring the plants
survival (Australian Museum, 2009). Dispersal is assisted by
gravity, animals, force, wind, water and fire.
Myrmecochory:
Plants encourage the dispersal of their seeds by emitting
chemical and nutritional elements which triggers the

PLoK

Evident in Lessons:

Seeds come from an adult plant and contain all of

the food and information needed to make a baby
plant (Charlesworth & Lind, 2013). A baby plant is
called a seedling. The seedling will become exactly
the same as the adult plant it came from. The seed
has 3 parts; the outside is called the seed coat. All of
the food is stored inside the seed, in a part called
the endosperm. We cant see it happen, but the
baby plant begins to grow in the part called an
embryo (Australian Seeds Authority, 2013).

1,2,3,4,7 & 9

The seed stays asleep until is woken by water and

oxygen in the environment. The seed grows as it
absorbs water. This causes the seed coat to break
and the main root (radicle) appears.
The seed and root then begin to make food which
allows further growth of roots, a stem and leaves.

4, 7 & 9

The life cycle of a plant is continued when seeds

from a fully grown adult plant travels to a new place
so that it can begin to grow (Charlesworth & Lind,
2013). Birds, ants the wind and water can help the
seeds move from one place to another.

2,5 & 6

2,5,6, 11 &12
Ants are responsible for collecting and moving seeds
for over 1500 plants in Australia (Australian

collecting behaviours in ants. This partnership is referred to

as myrmecochory (Australian Museum, 2009).

Mutualistic relationships:
This occurs when two organisms from different species
benefit from the action of the other (Nguyen, 2010).
Living and non-living:
Living things are organisms made up of cells and require
sources of energy to survive. Living things are to grow,
move and respond to their environment (Biology Online,
2011). Conversely, things which so not breathe, reproduce
or grow are non-living things.

Museum, 2009). Just like flowers attract bees, plants

make their seeds smell and taste good which
attracts the ants. Plants and ants have a mutually
beneficial relationship.
Plants and animals work together to help each other
live by providing food, nutrition, protection or
create a way move around (Australian Museum,
2009).
Living things require certain elements in which to
survive. Animals/humans need oxygen, water and
food while plants require sunlight, water, oxygen
and nutrients from the soil. Living things can only
survive in environments where their needs are met,
whereas nonliving things can exist anywhere as they
do not require external elements to survive
(Charlesworth & Lind, 2013).

5, 6,11 & 12

1& 2

Life cycle:
Germination, growth of the radicle, seedling, mature plant,
reproduction, dispersal and senescence are all parts of a
plant life cycle (Australian Seeds Authority, 2013).

Just like humans, plants and animals have life cycles.

A life cycle involves being born, growing into an
adult, reproducing and dying (Charlesworth & Lind,
2013).

1, 2, 7 & 9

Arthropod:
Arthropods make up 75% of all animals in the world. They
are invertebrates with jointed legs and a segmented
exoskeleton (Wilson, 2009).

An ant is an arthropod. It has no backbone and the

outside of its body is a skeleton. It is classified as an
insect because it has 6 jointed legs and a segmented
body. Ants, along with other arthropods play an
important role in maintaining the ecosystems
(Wilson, 2009).

5, 11 & 12

References:
Australian Museum (2009, October 6). Seed dispersal. Retrieved from: http://australianmuseum.net.au/seed-dispersal
Australian Seeds Authority. (2013, July 1). What is a seed and how does it work? Retrieved from Australian Seeds Authority Ltd. Website:
http://aseeds.net.au/9-faqs/general/49-what-is-a-seed-and-how-does-it-work
Biology Online. (2011, May 25). Living things. Retrieved from: http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Living_thing
Charlesworth, R., & Lind, K. L. (2013). Maths and science for young children (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Kumar, S. (2016). Process of seed germination: 5 steps (with diagram)[ Blog message]. Retrieved from Biology Discussion:
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/seed/germination/process-of-seed-germination-5-steps-with-diagram/15769
Nguyen, T.,V. (2010, March 18). Mutually-beneficial animal relationships [Blog message]. Retrieved from The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/mutually-beneficial-anima_n_391888
Wilson, B.(2009, December 8). What are arthropods [Blog message]. Retrieved from Australian Museum: http://australianmuseum.net.au/what-arearthropods.