CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 5: Seeds And Seeds NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, 'Seeds And Seeds,' for CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies, delves into the fascinating world of seeds. Students will explore the processes of soaking and sprouting various seeds, understanding the conditions necessary for germination, such as water and air. The solutions provide step-by-step guidance on conducting experiments to observe these changes, comparing different methods of sprouting. It also covers the practical aspects of planting seeds, observing plant growth, and recording data. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students grasp fundamental concepts of plant life cycles and seed germination, aiding in their exam preparation by offering clear, concise answers and explanations for all textbook questions.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 5
SubjectEnvironmental Studies
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter5 Seeds And Seeds

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, 'Seeds And Seeds,' for Class 5 EVS focuses on the life cycle of seeds. The NCERT Solutions cover essential topics like the importance of soaking and sprouting seeds for easier cooking and better nutrition. It includes detailed explanations of experimental procedures to observe seed germination under different conditions (water, air, both, or neither). The chapter also guides students through planting their own seeds, observing growth, and recording observations, reinforcing concepts of plant development.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the purpose of soaking different food items before cooking.
  • Learn the process and time required for sprouting various seeds like chana and moong.
  • Recognize the nutritional benefits of eating sprouts.
  • Conduct an experiment to observe seed germination under different conditions.
  • Identify the essential requirements for seed sprouting (water and air).
  • Understand the basic steps involved in planting seeds and observing plant growth.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Soaking of food items
  • Sprouting of seeds
  • Conditions for germination
  • Time taken for sprouting
  • Nutritional value of sprouts
  • Seed germination experiment
  • Planting seeds
  • Observing plant growth
  • Recording plant growth data
  • Difference between soaked and sprouted seeds
  • Viability of seeds
  • Types of seeds

Important topics

  • Conditions for seed sprouting (water and air)
  • The process of sprouting
  • Observing and recording plant growth
  • Nutritional benefits of sprouts
  • Why some seeds cannot sprout

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Discuss

1. What things are soaked before cooking in your house? Why?
Solution: In many households, several food items are soaked before cooking to make them easier to prepare and digest. Common items include pulses like chana, moong, and rajma; grains like rice; and other dried legumes such as soybean. The primary reason for soaking is to soften these hard, dried items. This softening process makes them easier to grind into pastes or flours and significantly reduces the cooking time, thereby saving both time and energy.

Discuss

2. What things do you eat after sprouting? How are they sprouted? How much time does it take?
Solution: We often eat sprouted seeds like chana and moong, which are highly nutritious. To sprout them, the seeds are first soaked in water overnight. After soaking, the water is completely drained out. The wet seeds are then placed in a basket or tied in a damp cloth, ensuring they receive adequate air circulation. This allows them to sprout. Chana typically takes about 36 to 48 hours to sprout, while moong usually sprouts within 24 to 36 hours under these conditions.

Discuss

3. Has the doctor or someone you know ever told you to eat sprouts? Why?
Solution: Yes, it is common for doctors or health advisors to recommend eating sprouts. This is because sprouts are exceptionally rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and proteins. They are considered a very healthy food option, aiding in overall well-being and providing essential nourishment.

Do This and Find Out

1. Do you remember that in Class IV you did an activity with seeds? Now try another one. Take some chana and three bowls. Put five chana in the first bowl and fill it up with water. Put a damp piece of cloth or some cotton wool in the second bowl. Now keep the same number of chanas in it. Make sure that the cotton wool or cloth remains wet. Put the same number of chanas in the third bowl. Do not put anything else in it. Cover all the three bowls. Observe after two days and note the changes in the bowls.
Solution: This experiment helps us understand the conditions required for seeds to sprout. Here are the expected observations after two days:

Bowl 1: The chana are in water. They are getting water but limited air. They might become soft but are unlikely to sprout significantly because of the lack of air.

Bowl 2: The chana are in a damp cloth or cotton wool. They are getting both water and air. This is the ideal condition for sprouting, so the chana are expected to sprout, showing small root-like structures emerging.

Bowl 3: The chana are dry, with no water and no air (as the bowl is covered). They will remain unchanged and will not sprout.

Summary of changes:

  • Bowl 1: Getting water? Yes. Getting air? Limited. Changes: Seeds are soft, minimal or no sprouting.
  • Bowl 2: Getting water? Yes. Getting air? Yes. Changes: Seeds have sprouted.
  • Bowl 3: Getting water? No. Getting air? No. Changes: No change observed in the seeds.

Tell and Write

1. In which bowl did the seeds sprout? What difference did you see between this bowl and the other bowls?
Solution: The seeds sprouted in Bowl 2. The key difference observed was that Bowl 2 provided the seeds with both water and air, which are essential for germination. In Bowl 1, the seeds had water but very little air, preventing proper sprouting. In Bowl 3, the seeds lacked both water and air, so no sprouting occurred at all. This highlights that a combination of moisture and air is crucial for seeds to germinate.

Tell and Write

2. Why did Gopal's mother tie the chana in a damp cloth?
Solution: Gopal's mother tied the chana in a damp cloth to ensure that the seeds received both moisture (from the damp cloth) and air. This combination of water and air creates the ideal environment for the seeds to germinate and sprout.

Tell and Write

3. When you split the whole masoor, you get me—masoor dal. But then you cannot sprout me! Can you think why?
Solution: Masoor dal, which is split whole masoor, cannot be sprouted because the process of splitting the lentil damages the seed's internal structure, particularly the embryo. The embryo is the part of the seed that develops into a new plant. Once this vital part is damaged or destroyed during splitting, the seed loses its ability to germinate and grow, even if provided with water and air.

Draw

1. Look carefully at your sprouted chana and make its drawing.
Solution: (This section requires a drawing. Students should draw the sprouted chana, showing the seed coat and the emerging root and shoot. The drawing should accurately represent the changes observed in the sprouted seed.)

Project: Plant Your Seeds

1. Take a clay pot or a tin can with a wide mouth. Make a small hole at the bottom of the can. Fill your can with soil. Put four or five seeds of the same kind in the soil and press them gently. Different groups can plant different kinds of seeds, such as mustard (sarson), fenugreek (methi), sesame (til) or coriander (dhania).
Solution: This is a practical activity for students to grow their own plants. The instructions guide them to prepare a container by making a drainage hole, filling it with soil, and planting a few seeds of their choice. This hands-on experience helps in understanding the process of germination and plant growth from seeds.

Write

1. Name of the seed:.... The date on which you planted them:..... The day you observe something coming out of the soil, start filling the table:

Date Height of the plant (in cm) Number of leaves seen Any other change

Solution: This section involves recording observations from the seed planting project. Here is an example of how a student might fill out the table after planting mustard seeds:

Name of the seed: Mustard (sarson)

The date on which you planted them: 2nd October, 2023 (Example Date)

Table for observations:

Date Height of the plant (in cm) Number of leaves seen Any other change
10th October 1 cm 0 A small shoot emerged from the soil.
11th October 1.5 cm 2 The shoot grew taller, and two small leaves appeared.
12th October 2.5 cm 4 The plant grew more, stem became thicker, and more leaves unfolded.
14th October 4 cm 6 The plant grew significantly taller, the stem became even thicker, and several leaves developed.

Find Out

1. How long did it take for the plant to come out from the soil?
Solution: Based on the example observation table, it took approximately a week (around 7-8 days) for the mustard plant to emerge from the soil after planting the seeds.

Common mistakes

  • Not providing adequate water or air for sprouting.
  • Confusing the conditions needed for soaking versus sprouting.
  • Inaccurate observation and recording of plant growth.
  • Assuming split seeds (like dal) can be sprouted without considering their viability.

Revision tips

  • Review the experimental setup for sprouting seeds and the observed results.
  • Memorize the time taken for different seeds to sprout.
  • Understand why certain seeds sprout and others don't based on the experiment.
  • Practice drawing a sprouted seed as shown in the textbook.
  • Revisit the steps for planting seeds and recording plant growth data.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is essential for seeds to sprout?

Q2. Why are some food items soaked before cooking?

Q3. Which of these seeds typically takes the longest to sprout?

Q4. What happens to seeds kept in a bowl with only water (no air)?

Q5. Why can't split masoor dal be sprouted?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main topic of Class 5 EVS Chapter 5?

Class 5 EVS Chapter 5, 'Seeds And Seeds,' focuses on understanding the process of seed germination, including soaking and sprouting, and observing plant growth after planting seeds.

Why is it important to soak seeds before cooking?

Soaking makes seeds like pulses and grains soft, which reduces cooking time, saves energy, and makes them easier to grind.

What are the essential requirements for seeds to sprout?

Seeds need both water and air to sprout. Water helps soften the seed coat and activate the embryo, while air is necessary for respiration.

How long does it take for seeds like chana to sprout?

Chana typically takes about 36 to 48 hours to sprout, while moong sprouts in about 24 to 36 hours.

Can split dal be sprouted?

No, split dal like masoor dal cannot be sprouted because the process of splitting damages the seed and destroys its ability to germinate.

How can students learn about plant growth from this chapter?

Students can learn by performing the 'Plant Your Seeds' project, planting different seeds, and observing and recording their growth over time.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.