Question

Gibberellins are found in the plant embryo inside the seed. this plant hormone acts to stimulate the synthesis of digestive enzymes that release nutrients stored in the seed. why is this action necessary for successful seed germination?

Answer 1

When a plant embryo starts to develop it needs a lot of energy for its developmental processes and cell divisions. Plants store the necessary energy next to the embryo in the seeds, but that energy is inaccessible by the embryo because it's in the form of complex carbohydrates. Gibberellins activate the enzymes that break down the complex carbohydrates ( for example starch ) into simple sugars that the embryo can use for its development.