Question
Here's something that I just thought of.

How damaged can a plant seed be and still germinate?

I learned that to germinate an avocado easily, stick some toothpicks in it so it floats in a jar of water.

Putting toothpicks into the seed obviously damages it to some degree, right?

But it still germinates.

So, how damaged can a seed be til it's considered dead?

Just curious.

Answer
Hi Kayla,
Thanx for your question.  The embryo of an avocado seed is buried deep inside the pit.  Sticking toothpicks into the seed to hold it in the water does not harm it at all.  Most of the pit of an avocado seed is nutrient and not the actual living embryo so you will not be damaging the seed.  I hope this helps.
Tom