Introduction to Green Plants and Their Life Cycle

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the biology of green plants and their life cycles.

Syngamy

The fusion of gametes in sexual reproduction.

Monophyletic group

A group of organisms that consists of all the descendants of a common ancestor.

Embryophytes

Land plants that have multicellular, dependent embryos.

Sporopollenin

A hard polymer that provides protection for zygotes and spores.

Gametangia

Structures that produce gametes in plants.

Cuticle

A waxy layer that prevents water loss from plant surfaces.

Antheridia

Male gametangium that produces sperm cells.

Archegonia

Female gametangium that produces a single egg.

Vascular tissue

Tissue in plants that transports water and nutrients.

Alternation of generations

A life cycle pattern in plants that alternates between haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte stages.

Zygote

The fertilized egg that develops into a new organism.

Gamete

A haploid reproductive cell (sperm or egg) that fuses during fertilization.

Haploid (n)

A cell with a single set of chromosomes.

Diploid (2n)

A cell with two sets of chromosomes.

Spores

Reproductive cells that can develop into a new individual without fusing with another cell.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular land plants, such as mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

Pteridophytes

Seedless vascular plants, such as ferns.

Gymnosperms

Seed plants that produce seeds exposed on cones.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within a fruit.