A Bean Seed's First Steps
A bean seed uses water to open, then grows roots and a shoot that becomes a sprout.
Play the quiz as a gameThe heading for this text is A Bean Seed's First Steps. A bean seed may look small and dry, but it holds a tiny plant. The seed has a tough outer coat. Inside are a baby plant and stored food. The heading tells the topic of this text: how a bean seed begins to grow.
First, the seed needs water, air, and the right warmth. It can absorb water through its coat. Absorb means to take in a liquid. As water enters, the seed swells, or gets bigger. Soon, the coat splits open. This first change helps the baby plant begin its work.
A thin root pushes out first. It grows down into the soil and anchors the seed. Anchors means holds something firmly in place. The root also takes in water and minerals from the soil. Minerals are tiny substances that help a plant grow. More roots branch out, making a root system.
Next, a shoot curves upward. It pushes through the soil toward light. A shoot is a young plant stem with new leaves. When the shoot rises above the soil, it is called a sprout. Green leaves open, and the plant can use sunlight to make more food. The root stays below while the shoot reaches above.
A caption under a picture might say, 'Roots grow down; the shoot grows up.' A caption is a few words that explain a picture. The steps happen in order: water enters, the root grows, and the shoot becomes a sprout. Each part has a job, and together they help the bean become a young plant.