bio F.3 questions~{急!!!!!!! 請幫手!!plz~}

there are 2 set up
set up a :test tube內有lime water, soaked and sterilized germinating seeds
set up b::test tube內有lime water, boiled and sterilized germinating seeds

Q:
1)wt is the use of lime water?

2)y are the germinating seeds in set up a soaked and sterilized before the experiment?