stuck shells

My question is about shell fragments which have not dropped from the cotyledon after breaking the soil surface... I have read that it is recommended to remove the shell gently asap...

My question is: what is the film that I am pulling off (between cotys and shell) - is this some kind of food source, i.e. I am hurting the plant by removing it prematurely or is the film merely some kind of protective/preservative measure for the embryo?

Just get the shell off. That would be best.

No you're not damaging it. I wait until the shell dries out some and can easily be removed.

Click on one of the grow books in my links. I'm sure you can find a diagram of seed anatomy. I saw one in there somewhere.