How do planted seeds know which was is up?

Question

How do planted seeds know which was is up?

In: 127

Answer 1

Seeds use gravity to figure out which way is up and which way is down. The seed shoots roots in the direction of gravity and shoots stems and leaves in the opposite direction. We actually don’t know how the seed figures this out exactly, but something inside the cell can figure out where gravity is pulling and then the seed responds accordingly. Incidentally, most seeds have a spot where the first root (called the radicle) will emerge, so you can face the seed in that direction to make things easier, although it will figure it out on its own if you orient the seed the wrong way.