What process usually occurs in the seed stage of a plant's life cycle?

Germination is the process that typically occurs during the seed stage of a plant's life cycle. During germination, a seed absorbs water and swells, and the outer seed coat breaks open. This allows the embryonic plant inside to begin to grow. It uses the stored nutrients within the seed to fuel its initial development until it can produce its own food through photosynthesis. This process is crucial, as it marks the transition from a dormant seed to a growing plant.

Photosynthesis occurs later in a plant's life cycle, once it has developed leaves and can use sunlight to create energy. Pollination is a process related to reproduction and occurs in flowering plants when pollen is transferred from one flower to another. Root expansion happens as a part of a plant’s growth but is not specific to the seed stage. Therefore, germination is the correct choice as it directly pertains to the initial stage of a plant's life cycle.