what is germinate

Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed or spore. When a seed is exposed to the proper conditions, water and oxygen are taken in through the seed coat, and the embryos cells start to enlarge. Then, the seed coat breaks open, and the root emerges first, followed by the shoot that contains the leaves and stem. Sunlight supports the germination process by warming the soil, and once leaves have sprouted, sunlight is the primary energy source for plant growth through the process of photosynthesis. Some seeds need direct contact with sunlight to germinate, although this is uncommon. The seeds of many species do not germinate immediately after exposure to conditions generally favorable for plant growth but require a "breaking" of dormancy, which may be associated with a change in the seed coats or with the state of the embryo itself.