Germination

Whether it is a bean seed or a corn seed germination requires a few things. It requires water/imbibition, oxygen, temperature/sunlight, soil and a nice, loving parent:)

Germination: the sprouting of the seed. The seed swells from intake of water, and the outer coat begins to soften. After the coat breaks, the radicle appears and grows downward due to gravity.

Water/Imbibition: Water is required for germination. Water allows the outer shell of the seed to soften and break for the seed to take root and grow. This process is called imbibition. Mature seeds are often extremely dry and need to take in significant amounts of water.

Oxygen: is required by the germinating seed for metabolism. Oxygen is used in aerobic respiration, the main source of the seedling's energy until it grows leaves.

Temperature/Sunlight: affects growth rates. Seeds from different species and even seeds from the same plant germinate over a wide range of temperatures. If it is too cold it will freeze, and if it is too hot it will whither. Also with sunlight, some seeds germinate better without sunlight and some germinate better with sunlight. The perfect temperature and the perfect lighting is definitely very important for germination.

Soil: The pH of the soil can make a  difference in the germinating seed.The pH of the soil helps with the softening of the outter shell so the root can grow.

Two factors that need to be taken into consideration when expecting a seed to germinate:

Dormancy period: A seed requires to undergo a period of dormancy after its formation. During this period the seed 'rests' and may refuse to germinate properly. This period varies from seed to seed.

Viability period: After the resting period a seed bcomes ready to germinate. But this readiness is not for ever. The seed can possibly "expire" after a certain period. After that, the seed will not germinate.