How does a young seedling begin growing after germination?

After germination, a young seedling begins its growth through a combination of cell expansion and cell division. The process typically initiates with the emergence of the primary root, or radicle, from the seed, though in some species, the shoot emerges first.12

During this early stage, the seedling relies on stored nutrients provided by the parent plant, such as those found in the endosperm or cotyledons. Enzymes digest these reserves, and the resulting products are translocated to active growth areas. As the seedling develops, apical meristems—regions of actively dividing cells at the tips of roots and shoots—become responsible for the plant's continued extension and the formation of new tissues.123

Environmental factors, including gravity and light, guide the seedling's orientation. The root grows downward (positive geotropism), while the shoot grows upward (negative geotropism) and toward light (positive phototropism) to reach an environment favorable for photosynthesis.12