Subject:
Agricultural Science
Topic:
Plant Anatomy and Physiology
Sub – Topic: Seed Structures
Date:
Class:
Duration:
70 minutes
General objective:

Develop an understanding of the inter-relationships between the physical environment
and agriculture;

Understand the structure and functions of plants.
Specific objectives: Students should be able to:
1. Define the term seed
2. Draw and label the structure of a monocot and dicot seed.
3. Explain the difference between a monocot and a dicot seed.
4. Describe the external and internal structure of monocot and dicot seed.
TEACHING STRATEGIES/MAIN ACTIVITIES
Brainstorming
Discussion
Games
Quiz
Co-operative
Debate
Skill worksheet
Newspaper articles
Hands on
Demonstration
Other (specify):
●
●
Illustration
Research
Calculations
Computer oriented exercises
● Videos
● Lecture
Experiment
Puzzles
Written exercises
Instructional Materials:
Projector, Whiteboard, Marker, Duster, Laptop, Peas, Corn Seeds
Group work
Class reading
Pre-test
Post-test
Handouts
Visuals(transparencies)
Question and answer
Role play
Essay writing
Diary writing
●
Previous knowledge:

Students are already aware that plants grow from seeds.
Content Summary:
A seed is the product of sexual reproduction in flowering plants. A seed contains the embryo
which will develop into a young plant. It also contains a store of food for the embryo. A seed is
surrounded by the seed coat or testa.
Dicot seed
The broad bean seed is an example of a dicot seed. It has these external features:

The testa, which protects the embryo and the food store

The tiny hole, called the micropyle, through which water enters before germination can
occur

The scar (hilum) showing where the seed was attached to the pod.
If the testa is removed, you can see two cotyledons, or seed leaves. The embryo consists of the
radicle, which grows into the root of the seedling and the plumule which develops into the shoot
system.
Figure 1.1 Internal and external structure of a dicot seed (broad bean)
Monocot seed
A monocot seed, such as the maize grain, differs from the broad bean seed:
attatchment

The outer protective coat is formed from the fusion of the testa and the fruit wall as the
maize grain is a one- seeded fruit.

There is only one cotyledon.

The food store, called the endosperm, is separate from the cotyledon.
of cotyledon
of embryo
attatchment
Figure 1.2 Internal and external structure of a monocot seed (maize grain)
PROCEDURES/ ACTIVITIES:
Engage: Students will be placed into groups of fours and given jumbled words to form the
definition of a seed.
Explore: Students will then through brainstorming state the two types of seeds. Students will be
acknowledged by raising their hands and their answers will be validated.
Explain: Students will be shown a diagram of the internal and the external parts of a monocot
and dicot seed in order to be able identify the parts of seed. Student will also be given a pea and a
corn seed and allowed to observe the external and internal structures of the seeds.
Elaborate: Students will be engaged in a brief discussion regarding the function of each part of
the seed.
Evaluation: Students will also be given a work sheet to complete.
EXTENDED LEARNING:
Challenge students to: research other plant propagation methods.
LINKS TO OTHER SUBJECTS:
 Resource and technology
 ICT- Conduct internet research
Culminating Activity:
1. Label the structure of a monocot and dicot seed.
2. State three differences between monocot and dicot seeds.