Ch 29 - Plant Diversity

Plant Kingdom

The kingdom that includes over 330,000 species known as 'Land Plants.'

Eukaryotic

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and organelles enclosed within membranes.

Multicellular

Organisms made up of more than one cell.

Cell Wall

A thick protective layer that surrounds plant cells, composed mainly of cellulose.

Cellulose

A complex polysaccharide that makes up the plant cell wall.

Autotrophic

Organisms capable of producing their own sugar through photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants capture sunlight energy to generate glucose.

Starch

A polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of glucose in plants.

Photosynthetic pigments

Compounds in plants that capture light energy for photosynthesis.

Chlorophylls a and b

Primary photosynthetic pigments found in all plants, which are green.

Carotenoids

Accessory pigments that give plants a yellow to orange color.

Phycocyanin

A blue pigment found in some plants.

Phycoerythrin

A red pigment found in some plants.

Green algae

The most likely ancestors of land plants, sharing similar pigments and storage ability.

Xylem

The vascular tissue in plants responsible for the transport of water.

Phloem

The vascular tissue responsible for the movement of organic nutrients in plants.

Phylum Hepatophyta

A group of land plants commonly known as liverworts, with around 6500 species.

Phylum Anthocerophyta

A group of land plants known as hornworts, with around 100 species.

Phylum Bryophyta

A group of land plants known as mosses, consisting of about 12,000 species.

Bryophytes

A collective term for liverworts, hornworts, and mosses.

Phylum Lycopodiophyta

A group of land plants known as lycophytes, consisting of about 1000 species.

Phylum Pteridophyta

A group of land plants known as ferns, with around 12,000 species.

Pteridophytes

A collective term for ferns and their relatives.

Phylum Cycadophyta

A group of land plants known as cycads, with around 300 species.

Phylum Ginkgophyta

A group represented by a single species, Ginkgo, which is a Gymnosperm.

Phylum Gnetophyta

A group of land plants known as gnetophytes, with approximately 300 species.

Phylum Coniferophyta

A group of land plants known as conifers, consisting of around 500 species.

Gymnosperms

Plants producing seeds that are not enclosed in a protective vessel.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants known scientifically as Phylum Anthophyta, comprising over 300,000 species.

Alternation of Generations

A life cycle type where plants exhibit both a diploid sporophyte stage and a haploid gametophyte stage.

Conifers

The largest group of Gymnosperms, including pines, spruces, and firs.

Bristlecone Pine

The oldest living plants found in the Conifer group.

Giant Sequoia

The biggest living plant, classified as a Conifer.

Coastal Redwood

The tallest living plant in the Conifer group.

Double Fertilization

A unique process in Angiosperms where one sperm fertilizes the egg and another combines with polar nuclei to form endosperm.

Stamens

Male reproductive structures in flowers containing anther and filament.

Carpels

Female reproductive structures in flowers including stigma, style, and ovary.

Seed Coat

The protective outer layer surrounding a seed.

Embryo

The fertilized egg that develops into a new plant.

Endosperm

Nutrient-rich tissue that supports the embryo during germination.

Fleshy Fruits

Fruits that have a soft, fleshy covering, such as grapes.

Aggregate Fruits

Fruits formed from a single flower with multiple ovaries, like strawberries.

Multiple Fruits

Fruits that develop from a cluster of flowers, such as pineapples.

Legumes

Fruits with dry pods, such as peas.

Dry, winged fruit

Fruits produced by trees like maples, which can be dispersed by wind.

Rhizoids

Structures that anchor Bryophytes to their substrate, acting like roots without being true roots.

Sporophyte

The diploid phase in the plant life cycle that produces spores.

Gametophyte

The haploid phase in the plant life cycle that produces gametes.

Motile sperm

Sperm that are capable of movement through water for fertilization.

Photosynthesis process

The method plants utilize to convert sunlight into glucose, requiring chlorophyll.

Vascular tissues

Conducting tissues (xylem and phloem) found in Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms for nutrient transport.

Moist environments

Typical habitats for Bryophytes, which require water for survival and reproduction.

Seed dispersal mechanisms

Methods by which seeds spread from their parent plants, including wind and animal transport.

Pollinators

Animals that assist in the fertilization of plants by moving pollen from one flower to another.