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Growth and development of different organismsPlant growth

All living things require the correct conditions to grow. Seed germination is dependent on the correct temperature whilst plants require nutrients. Animals need the correct balance of foods.

Part of BiologyGrowth and development

Plant growth

Plants need water, oxygen and warmth to grow and develop properly. If the temperature of the environment is too hot or too cold, few seeds will germinate. The temperature at which the greatest percentage of seeds in a sample will germinate is called the optimum temperature.

A graph highlighting the optimal temperature for germination. The y axis shows percentage of seeds that germinate, the x axis shows temperature in centigrade. The graph rises at a 45 degree angle until it reaches 90% on the y axis. This is the optimum temperature for germination. It then falls steeply.

Growing plants require a range of from the soil. The table below gives examples of soil minerals and their function in plants.

MineralsFunction
MagnesiumNeeded to make chlorophyll
NitrateNeeded to make proteins
PhosphateNeeded to make DNA
PotassiumNeeded for healthy growth
MineralsMagnesium
FunctionNeeded to make chlorophyll
MineralsNitrate
FunctionNeeded to make proteins
MineralsPhosphate
FunctionNeeded to make DNA
MineralsPotassium
FunctionNeeded for healthy growth
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Human growth

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