Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What term describes the scattering of seeds?

1. Seed dispersal

2. Pollenation

3. Fertilization

4. Germination

The correct answer is: Seed dispersal

The term that describes the scattering of seeds is "seed dispersal." This process is crucial for the reproduction of plants, as it allows seeds to spread away from the parent plant, reducing competition for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. Seed dispersal can occur through several mechanisms, including wind, water, animals, and gravity, ensuring that seeds are planted in various locations that may be suitable for growth. Other processes mentioned, such as pollination, fertilization, and germination, relate to different stages of plant reproduction. Pollination involves the transfer of pollen from male to female reproductive structures, fertilization is the fusion of gametes to form a zygote, and germination is the process through which a seed develops into a new plant. Each of these processes plays a vital role in the life cycle of plants but does not specifically refer to the scattering of seeds.