Grow first, then make young ones
A seedling, a chick and a baby cannot make young ones yet.
Just started life
A seed has just germinated into a tiny seedling. A chick has just hatched from its egg. A baby has just been born.
Can they have young ones of their own right now?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Plants, animals and humans cannot reproduce immediately after birth or germination; their bodies must first grow and reach a stage of maturity.
Just started life
A seed has just germinated into a tiny seedling. A chick has just hatched from its egg. A baby has just been born.
Can they have young ones of their own right now?
- Yes, right away
- No, they must grow first
- Only the plant can
Watch them grow
Tap each row to let it grow, one stage at a time. Watch the badge on the right.
Growth, then maturity
Plants, animals and humans cannot reproduce right after germination or birth. Their bodies must first grow and reach maturity.
Some animals lay eggs that hatch into young ones. Others, like humans, directly give birth to young ones. In both cases the young ones grow in size and develop over time.
- Living being | Still growing | Mature
- Plant | seedling: no seeds yet | mature plant: seeds
- Hen | chick: no eggs yet | grown hen: eggs
- Human | baby: cannot reproduce | mature body: can reproduce
Notes
Plants, animals and humans cannot reproduce right after germination or birth. Their bodies must first grow and reach maturity.
Check yourself
A seed has just germinated. Why can the seedling not make seeds yet?
A chick has just hatched. When can it lay eggs of its own?
Which statement is true for humans, like most other living beings?
A seedling, a chick and a baby have each just started life. How many of them can reproduce right now?
Answer: 0
None. All three must first grow and reach maturity.
- It has not been given enough fertiliser yet. Fertiliser is not the reason. The seedling is simply not mature yet.
- It must grow and reach maturity first — correct. Yes! Only a mature plant makes seeds.
- Seedlings can never make seeds at any age. The same plant makes seeds once it has grown and become mature.
- As soon as it hatches from the egg. A newly hatched chick has not reached maturity.
- As soon as it can walk and eat grain. Walking and eating do not mean the body is mature.
- After it has grown up into a hen — correct. Yes! It must grow and become mature first.
- The body must first grow and reach maturity — correct. Yes! Growth and maturity come first.
- Reproduction is possible right from the day of birth. A body that has just been born is not yet mature.
- Growing has nothing to do with being able to reproduce. The body must grow and mature before it can reproduce.