What is the initial process that leads to seed growth?

Imbibition is the first step in the process of seed growth. It refers to the absorption of water by the dry seed, a crucial process that initiates germination. When seeds take up water, they swell, and this hydration activates metabolic processes that were dormant during the seed's dry state. Enzymes begin to function, and the seed starts to break down stored nutrients to fuel growth as the embryonic plant begins to emerge.

While pollination, fertilization, and photosynthesis are important processes in the life cycle of a plant, they occur either after or at different stages than imbibition. Pollination leads to fertilization, which is the fusion of male and female gametes, ultimately resulting in seed formation. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, which occurs after the seed has germinated and developed into a seedling.

Imbibition sets the stage for all subsequent growth processes, making it the correct choice for the initial process that contributes to seed growth.