Unit C

Module 5 ~ Lesson 5


Oxygen Consumption in Germinating Seeds


The germination of seeds is an example of a plant process that requires energy and oxygen. When a seed germinates, it uses stored energy present within the seed to support the growth of the seedling.

During germination, cellular respiration converts energy from the carbohydrate within the seed into a form usable by the seedling cells. The chemical potential energy available from the starch and other sugars within most seeds are converted into glucose and then into ATP by the process of cellular respiration.

While cellular respiration breaks chemical bonds to release energy to produce ATP, the process also releases 64% of its energy as heat. In the following lab, you will be asked to interpret collected data as evidence of oxygen consumption and heat production in germinating seeds.


  1. Read "Part 1: Oxygen Consumption in Cellular Respiration" of the procedure on pages 184 to 185 of your textbook. Make a hypothesis about the oxygen consumption of germinating seeds in comparison to non-germinating seeds. Refer to the Scientific Method page for more information on making a hypothesis.
  2. Then complete the Lab Bench Activity virtual lab and Lab Quiz. How do the results presented in the lab quiz support or refute your hypothesis?
  3. Read "Part 2: Heat Production in Cellular Respiration" of the procedure on pages 184 to 185 of your textbook. Make a hypothesis about the heat production of germinating seeds.
  4. Write a procedure to follow to test your hypothesis.
  5. Watch the lab simulation. How do the results support or refute your hypothesis?