EEMB Plant quiz

Angiosperm

A flowering plant whose ovules are enclosed within carpels and whose seeds develop within fruits

Flower

A specialized reproductive structure consisting of modified leaves, including stamens and carpels

Stamen

The pollen-producing reproductive structure of a flower, consisting of an anther and filament

Anther

The portion of a stamen containing microsporangia where pollen develops

Filament

The stalk supporting the anther

Carpel

An ovule-bearing reproductive structure, typically consisting of a stigma, style, and ovary

Pistil

A reproductive structure consisting of one carpel or multiple fused carpels

Stigma

The pollen-receptive surface of a carpel

Style

The structure connecting the stigma to the ovary through which pollen tubes typically grow

Ovary

The part of a carpel containing ovules; typically develops into a fruit

Ovule

A structure containing the megasporangium and female gametophyte, surrounded by integument(s); develops into a seed

Petal

A modified floral leaf often involved in attracting pollinators

Sepal

A modified floral leaf that typically protects the developing flower bud

Receptacle

The portion of the floral axis to which flower structures attach

Radial symmetry

A form of symmetry in which a flower can be divided into approximately equivalent halves along multiple planes through its center

Bilateral symmetry

A form of symmetry in which a flower can be divided into approximately equivalent halves along only one plane

Perfect flower

A flower containing both functional stamens and carpels

Imperfect flower

A flower containing functional male or female reproductive structures, but not both

Staminate flower

A male flower with functional stamens but no functional carpels

Carpellate flower

A female flower with functional carpels but no functional stamens

Self-fertilization

Fertilization involving gametes originating from the same sporophyte individual

Pollination

Transfer of pollen to a receptive reproductive surface, such as a stigma in angiosperms

Reproductive isolation

Barriers that reduce or prevent successful reproduction between populations or species

Fruit

A mature ovary, sometimes including additional floral tissues, that encloses or contains seeds

Double fertilization

An angiosperm reproductive process in which one sperm fertilizes the egg and another fuses with the central cell, typically producing triploid endosperm

Gymnosperm

A seed plant whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary or fruit

Coniferophyta

The largest living gymnosperm lineage, including pines, firs, spruces, and redwoods

Cycadophyta

A gymnosperm lineage characterized by large compound leaves and generally separate male and female plants

Ginkgophyta

A gymnosperm lineage represented today by a single living species, Ginkgo biloba

Gnetophyta

A gymnosperm lineage containing the three living genera Gnetum, Ephedra, and Welwitschia

Strobilus (cone)

A reproductive structure consisting of an axis bearing spore-producing structures

Microstrobilus

A male cone containing microsporangia that produce microspores

Megastrobilus

A female cone bearing megasporangia or ovules

Monoecious

Having male and female reproductive structures on the same sporophyte individual

Dioecious

Having male and female reproductive structures on separate sporophyte individuals

Unisexual gametophyte

A gametophyte that produces only male or only female gametes

Sarcotesta

The fleshy outer layer of the seed coat, as found in Ginkgo

Seed plant

A vascular plant that reproduces using seeds; includes gymnosperms and angiosperms

Monophyletic group (clade)

A group consisting of a common ancestor and all of its descendants

Heterospory

Production of two types of spores: microspores that develop into male gametophytes and megaspores that develop into female gametophytes

Microspore

A haploid spore that develops through mitosis into a male gametophyte

Megaspore

A haploid spore that develops through mitosis into a female gametophyte

Reduced gametophyte

A gametophyte consisting of relatively few cells and dependent on the sporophyte for protection and/or nutrition

Pollen grain

A structure containing the reduced male gametophyte of a seed plant, which develops from a microspore

Ovule

A reproductive structure containing the megasporangium, surrounded by an integument, that develops into a seed after fertilization

Seed

A reproductive structure containing a plant embryo, stored nutrients, and a protective seed coat

Sporopollenin

A highly resistant polymer found in pollen and spore walls that helps protect against desiccation and degradation

Microstrobilus (pollen cone)

A reproductive cone containing microsporangia that produce microspores

Megastrobilus (ovulate cone)

A reproductive cone bearing ovules in which megaspores and female gametophytes develop

Integument

Diploid maternal sporophyte tissue surrounding the megasporangium that develops into the seed coat

Dichotomous branching

A branching pattern in which a growing axis divides into two branches

Vascular tissue

Specialized plant tissues responsible for long-distance transport of water, minerals, and sugars

Independent sporophyte

A sporophyte that can survive and grow without depending nutritionally on its gametophyte

Xylem

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars and other organic compounds between plant tissues

Lignin

A complex phenolic polymer that strengthens cell walls, increases their resistance to compression, and makes them more hydrophobic

Aglaophyton

- An extinct early land plant with branching sporophytes and rhizoids, illustrating an intermediate stage in early land plant evolution

Homospory

Production of one type of spore, typically developing into a gametophyte capable of producing both sperm and eggs

Heterospory

Production of two distinct types of spores: microspores and megaspores

Microspore

A smaller haploid spore that develops into a male gametophyte

Megaspore

A larger haploid spore that develops into a female gametophyte

Microgametophyte

A male haploid gametophyte that produces sperm

Megagametophyte

A female haploid gametophyte that produces eggs

Bisexual gametophyte

A gametophyte that produces both eggs and sperms

Strobilus

A reproductive structure consisting of a cluster of sporophylls, often forming a cone-like structure

Annulus

A specialized ring or row of cells in a fern sporangium that helps release spores through changes in water pressure

Elaters

Hygroscopic structures associated with spores that respond to humidity changes and assist in spore dispersal