Plant Evolution: Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms

Vocabulary flashcards for Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms, covering their characteristics, classifications, and reproductive strategies.

PTERIDOPHYTES

Family of Fern and HORSETAIL.

Bryophytes

Include liverwort, hornwort and mosses, growing in moist shady places with a dominant haploid gametophyte phase. Root-like structures are called rhizoids.

Pteridophytes

Non-seed bearing plants, a type of tracheophyte.

Spermatophytes

Seed-bearing plants, a type of tracheophyte.

Pteridophytes

First terrestrial vascular plants, occupying a transitional position between bryophytes and spermatophytes.

Cryptogams

Plants that reproduce by spores.

Pteridophyte

Vascular plant with xylem and phloem that reproduces by means of spores.

Xylem

Transports ions and water from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem

Carries dissolved sucrose and other products of photosynthesis from the leaves to the non-photosynthetic cells of the plant.

Sporophylls

Leaves that may have spores on the underside.

Sori

Contain sporangia where reproductive cells undergo meiosis and where spores are produced underside of fern leaves.

Cones or Strobili

Compact structures formed by sporophylls.

Metagenesis

Alternation of generation in the lifespan of pteridophytes.

Sporophyte generation

Diploid generation which produces spores.

Gametophyte generation

Haploid generation which produces the gametes.

Microspores

Produce male antheridia.

Megaspores

Produce female archegonia.

Prothallus

Small independent gametophytes into which spores germinate.

Antheridia

Male sex organs.

Archegonia

Female sex organs.

Antherozoids

Male gametes, which are released by the antheridia.

Homosporous plants

Plants that have similar spores.

Heterosporous plants

Plants that have two different kinds of spores (megaspores and microspores).

Psilotopsida

Have the sporangia present either at the tip or laterally directly on the stem; i.e they are cauline in position, and the gametophyte is not photosynthetic.

Lycopsida

Have well-defined root, stem and leaves, and the sporangia are present in the axil of sporophylls.

Sphenopsida

Commonly known as horsetails, stems have distinct nodes and internodes, and there is a special appendage called sporangiophore in which the sporangia are formed.

Pteridopsida

Most prominent members of this class are ferns, the largest group of pteridophytes with well-defined roots, stem and leaves.

Gymnosperm

Naked seed plant.

Strobilus or cone

Reproductive structure of Gymnosperms.

Pinophyta

Commonly called conifers, are woody plants that have cones and vascular tissue.

Cycadophyta

Cycads produce green, pinnately compound leaves that resemble palm fronds.

Gingkophyta

Consists of a single living species, Ginkgo biloba, a hardy deciduous tree.

Gnetophyta

The 28 species from the genus Gnetum consist of a few trees and shrubs accompanied by a number of woody vine species.

Angiosperm

Flowering plants, are the largest and most diverse group within the kingdom Plantae.

Meristems and cambia

Extend the length and width of the plant body, respectively

Annuals

Herbs that complete their growing cycle (growth, flowering, and death) within the same season.

Biennials

Herbs that their growing cycle spans two years: the vegetative (non-reproductive) plant growth takes place from seed during the first year, and flowers and fruit develop during the second.

Perennial

Grows for many years and often flowers annually.

Primary root system

Consists of a taproot (primary root) that grows vertically downward (positive geotropism).

Adventitious root system

Grasses (Poaceae) and many other monocotyledons produce fibrous root systems.