- embryonic plant enclosed in a protective coat, carrier of genetic information
- contains embryo, endosperm (nutrient store), and seed coat (testa)
- dormancy mechanisms: physical, chemical, thermal, light-dependent
- germination triggered by water, temperature, and sometimes fire or scarification
- vehicle of heredity across species generations
- seed saving: farmer practice preserving crops diversity for millennia
- modern seed banks (Svalbard, Vavilov) store genetic resources against extinction
- open-pollinated vs hybrid vs genetically modified lineages
- foundation of agriculture: who controls the seed controls the food supply
- seed sovereignty is a core demand of food sovereignty