Plant Dormancy

a period in which a plant does not grow, awaiting necessary environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, etc.

• Respiration

• Dormancy

• Response

• Tropism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Dormancy

• object, substance or event that causes a specific response in an organism or part of an organism

• come from factors found in the environment

• an organism's reaction to a stimulus

• a period in which a plant does not grow, awaiting necessary environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, etc.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A plant drops its leaves and appears to be dead.

• Hibernation

• Migration

• Dormancy

Caused by extreme conditions, such as a drought.

• Hibernation

• Dormancy

• Migration

What is the significance of seed coat impermeability in seed dormancy?

• It allows seeds to float on water

• It prevents water and gas exchange, maintaining dormancy

• It makes the seed more attractive to animals

• It has no significance in seed dormancy

What is the primary reason plants undergo dormancy?

• To reproduce more quickly

• To conserve resources during unfavorable conditions

• To grow taller

• To attract pollinators

How do plants respond to drought conditions in terms of dormancy?

• They immediately begin to flower

• They enter a state of dormancy to conserve resources

• They increase water uptake

• Drought conditions have no effect on plant dormancy

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What role does light play in plant responses related to dormancy and growth?

• Light has no effect on plants

• Light cues are only important for photosynthesis

• Light cues can trigger seeds to break dormancy and begin germination

• Light prevents seed germination

How does decreasing daylight hours affect plant dormancy?

• It has no effect on dormancy

• It signals plants to enter a growth phase

• It triggers plants to prepare for dormancy

• It increases photosynthesis

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

When a seed has almost no metabolic processes taking place is is said to be _____.

• dormant

• active

• hyperactive

• deficit

Answer explanation

Seed dormancy is the state in which seed is unable to germinate, even under ideal growing conditions (Merriam-Webster). Because dormancy can be broken by most ideal growing conditions (different and specific for each species), the seeds germinate when they are the most likely to flourish. Dormancy is a period of arrested plant growth. It is a survival strategy exhibited by many plant species, which enables them to survive in climates where part of the year is unsuitable for growth, such as winter or dry seasons.