Module 3-Chapter 16

Plantae, Fungi & Protists

Protists

An artificial grouping of eukaryotes, defined by not belonging to any of the three kingdoms of Eukarya, composed of mainly single-celled, microscopic organisms grouped together simply because they are not plants, animals, or fungi and include amoebas and algae.

Protozoans

One of two main groups of protists, whose members are nonphotosynthetic and motile. Compare algae.

Algae

One of two main groups of protists, whose members are photosynthetic and may or may not be motile. Compare protozoans.

Plants

Multicellular eukaryotes that are photosynthetic and classified within the kingdom Plantae, characterized by cell walls made of cellulose and the ability to perform photosynthesis.

Bryophytes

A group of nonflowering plants that includes liverworts and mosses.

Vascular system

In plants, a network of tissues that is made up of tubelike structures specialized for transporting fluids.

Ferns

A group of vascular, nonflowering plants that reproduce via spores.

Cellulose

A chemical substance that provides structural strength in plant cells. Compare lignin.

Lignin

A strengthening substance that links together cellulose fibers in plant cells to create a rigid network.

Gymnosperms

One of two main groups of seed-bearing plants, characterized by naked seeds. Compare angiosperms.

Pollen

In plants, a microscopic structure containing sperm cells that can be lofted into the air in massive quantities.

Seed

In plants, the embryo and a supply of stored food, all encased in a protective covering.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants. One of two main groups of seed-bearing plants, characterized by seeds enclosed in an ovary and by flowers. Compare gymnosperms.

Flower

A structure in angiosperms that enhances sexual reproduction by bringing male gametes (sperm cells) to the female gametes (egg cells) in highly efficient ways, by attracting animal pollinators through scent, shape, and color.

Ovule

The egg-bearing structure in plants.

Fungi; the fungi (sing. fungus)

One of the five kingdoms of life, in the domain Eukarya, distinguished by their modes of reproduction. Fungi are absorptive heterotrophs.

Zygomycetes

One of three main groups of fungi, containing many species of molds. Compare ascomycetes and basidiomycetes.

Basidiomycetes

Club fungi, one of three main groups of fungi. Compare ascomycetes and zygomycetes.

Yeasts

Single-celled fungi that belong in the group zygomycetes and are important in the rising of bread, the brewing of beer, and the fermenting of wine.

Hyphae (sing. hypha)

The fine, branching threads of fungi that absorb nutrients from the environment.

Mycelium (pl. mycelia)

The entire bundle of hyphae that composes the main body of a fungus.

Fruiting body

In fungi, the structure resulting from mating that releases offspring as sexual spores.

Spore

1. In fungi, a reproductive structure that can survive for long periods of time in a dormant state and will sprout under favorable conditions to produce the body of the organism. 2. In plants, a haploid cell produced by meiosis that divides mitotically to produce the gametophyte.

Mycorrhizal fungi

Fungi that form mutualistic associations with the root systems of plants and that help the plants absorb more water and nutrients from the soil.

Lichen

A mutualistic association between a photosynthetic microbe (usually a green alga or cyanobacterium) and a fungus.