Plant Biology Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover the key concepts and classifications of plants, their adaptations, structures, and reproductive strategies based on the provided lecture notes.

What type of organisms are eukaryotic, multicellular, and photosynthetic autotrophs?

Plants

What are the key characteristics of plants including their cell wall composition?

Cellulose cell walls and chlorophylls.

What are two main categories used to compare aquatic plants and terrestrial plants?

Aquatic plants absorb moisture from water, while terrestrial plants pull moisture from soil.

What structural feature helps plants resist gravity?

Stiffness due to water pressure.

What is the importance of roots in terrestrial plants?

Roots absorb nutrients and stabilize the plant in place.

List three derived traits shared by all plants.

Tissues and organs in three dimensions, presence of apical meristems, and alteration of generations with dependent embryos.

What are tough spores important for?

Reproducing on land.

Name the two distinct generations in plant life cycles.

Sporophyte and gametophyte.

What are bryophytes, and what are their adaptations for land?

Mosses and liverworts, adapted with tough-walled spores and cup-shaped structures.

What distinguishes tracheophytes from other plants?

Presence of vascular tissue (xylem and phloem).

What adaptations do gymnosperms have for survival in cold, dry conditions?

Small needle leaves, waxy coating, and conical shape.

What major event in geological history led to the diversification of seed plants?

The Carboniferous period.

How do angiosperms differ from gymnosperms?

Angiosperms produce flowers and fruits, whereas gymnosperms have 'naked seeds' without flowers.

What role do secondary metabolites play in plants?

They are molecules that are not essential for cell structure and growth but can have various ecological functions.

What types of pollinators are associated with angiosperms?

Birds, butterflies, moths, and bats.