ASU-Ask A Biologist - Plants Get Around

Pocket Seed Viewer

Watch a seed germinate!

NEW - Help Dr. Biology with the
virtual pocket seed experiment.
See the differences and compare the results using the Pocket Seed Data Packet.

Try this experiment at home or in the classroom. It only needs a few inexpensive materials to put together. Then use the Pocket Seed Data Packet to record your findings and analyze the data.

Pocket Seed Data Packet Contents: Materials for Pocket Seed Viewer:

Seed anatomy information

Pocket Seed experiment instructions

Blank Data Sheets

Instructions on how to analyze the data

Graph Paper

a reseal able plastic sandwich bag, like a Ziploc®
paper towel or napkin
a cup of water
a packet of pea or bean seeds

PDF format (needs Adobe Acrobat Reader to print)

Brief Pocket Seed View Instructions:

These instructions can get you started with your own pocket seed viewer. For more detailed instructions, download the Pocket Seed Packet.

Soak seeds in a cup of water overnight.

Sprinkle water on the paper towel or napkin so it's wet but not dripping.

Put the wet paper towel and the seeds in the sandwich bag, make sure you can see the seeds without opening the bag.

Seal the bag. Place the bag in a warm safe place away from direct sunlight (so it doesn't get too hot). Check it several times a day, open it for a few seconds to give the seeds air. Then seal it to keep the moisture in. If the paper looks dry, open the bag and sprinkle more water, then make sure it's sealed.

Soon, you'll see the baby plant start growing and developing!!

One way to keep track of what happens to your seed is to draw it once a day. Make your first drawing of the seed before you soak it.

You can also try another experiment. Prepare one pocket seed viewer following the instructions above. Prepare another with seeds that you didn't soak. When you do the experiment, think like a scientist. Scientists ask themselves questions. Here are some questions you could ask yourself when you do one of these experiments:
Do you think the two kinds of seeds will germinate differently? How will they be different?

After you do one experiment, some other questions may come up. They might be answered by another experiment. Some suggested experiments:

prepare two identical bags, place one in the dark and one in the light.
prepare two identical bags. In one of the bags, place the seeds so the radicle faces toward the ceiling. In the other, place them so the radicle faces the floor.
prepare two identical bags. Once a day, rotate the seeds in one of the bags, let the other bag sit still.

Besides these suggested experiments, try your own. Just remember, test one thing at a time and always prepare a control bag (one that you don't change anything). That way you can compare the two bags to see if you made a difference.

To learn more about seeds and their amazing feats. Visit the Time Traveling Plants article.

(Thanks to Elena Ortiz-Barney, Department of Plant Biology, Arizona State University for this experiment.)

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