Madrid Botanical Garden

What are the general characteristics of Kingdom Plantae?

Eukaryotic, mostly multicellular with cellulose cell walls, autotrophic.

What does "autotrophic" mean in plants?

They produce their own food through photosynthesis.

What are nonvascular plants?

Plants without xylem and phloem, e.g., mosses, liverworts, hornworts.

Do nonvascular plants produce seeds or flowers?

No, they do not produce seeds, flowers, or fruits.

How do nonvascular plants reproduce?

Using motile sperm that require water to reach the egg.

Why must nonvascular plants live in wet environments?

Because their motile sperm need water to swim to eggs.

Why can't nonvascular plants be large or thick?

They lack a vascular system to distribute water/nutrients or remove waste efficiently.

How is the embryo protected in nonvascular plants?

It is not well protected (no seed).

What are vascular plants without seeds?

Plants with xylem and phloem but without seeds, flowers, or fruits; includes ferns and fern allies.

How do vascular plants without seeds reproduce?

Using motile sperm; they require wet environments.

Can vascular plants without seeds grow large?

Yes, due to the presence of vascular tissue (xylem and phloem).

Is the embryo well protected in seedless vascular plants?

No, they lack seeds.

What are vascular plants with "naked" seeds?

Plants with xylem and phloem, produce seeds but no flowers/fruits; includes conifers, cycads, and ginkgos.

How do vascular plants with naked seeds transfer sperm?

Through pollen grains carried by wind.

Why do gymnosperms (naked seed plants) produce lots of pollen?

Because wind dispersal is random and lacks specific vectors.

Do gymnosperms need wet environments to reproduce?

No, sperm are non-motile and enclosed in pollen.

How is the embryo protected in gymnosperms?

It is enclosed within a seed.

What are vascular plants with protected seeds?

Plants with xylem/phloem, seeds, and flowers/fruits; includes all flowering plants (monocots and dicots).

How do flowering plants transfer sperm to eggs?

Pollen is transported by wind, insects, birds, and other vectors.

Why don't flowering plants need to produce as much pollen as gymnosperms?

They use specific vectors like animals and wind for pollen transfer.

What are the reproductive advantages of protected seeds in flowering plants?

Embryos are protected, and seed dispersal is enhanced by fruits.

How can fruits aid in seed dispersal?

Fruits may be eaten and seeds dispersed in animal waste, or have barbs that cling to animals.

Why can vascular plants with protected seeds grow large and thick?

They have a vascular system to efficiently transport water and nutrients.

What role does the vascular system play in plants?

Distributes water and nutrients and removes wastes.

Name a key difference between gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Angiosperms have flowers and fruits; gymnosperms do not.