What is the process called when an embryonic plant resumes growth, using stored food?

The process in which an embryonic plant resumes growth using stored food is called germination. During germination, the seed absorbs water, which triggers metabolic processes that enable the plant to break down the stored nutrients, typically found in the seed’s endosperm or cotyledons.

This process is crucial for the seedling's survival, as it relies on these energy stores before it can begin photosynthesis and produce its own food. The eventual growth involves the emergence of the root and shoot, leading to the development of a young plant.

In contrast, photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen; this does not occur until after germination when the plant is capable of making its own food. Respiration refers to the process of converting sugars into usable energy, which can occur during germination but is not synonymous with it. Fermentation is a metabolic process that breaks down sugars anaerobically, which is not directly related to the initial growth stages of an embryonic plant. Thus, germination is the correct term for this specific growth phase of an embryonic plant.