Seedless Vascular Plants

Flashcards covering key concepts related to Seedless Vascular Plants.

What are the three extinct phyla covered in the lecture on seedless vascular plants?

Rhyniophyta, Zosterophyllophyta, Trimerophytophyta.

What are the extant phyla of seedless vascular plants?

Lycopodiophyta and Monilophyta.

Define 'Extinct' in the context of vascular plants.

Extinct means only represented by fossils and no longer living today.

Define 'Extant' in relation to plant species.

Extant refers to species that are represented by living organisms.

What adaptations do sporophytes have for terrestrial life?

Cuticles, stomata, xylem & phloem for fluid conduction, lignin for support, and differentiated organs like stems, leaves, and roots.

What is a stele in vascular plants?

A vascular cylinder composed of vascular tissue.

What are the three types of steles in vascular plants?

Protostele, siphonostele, and eustele.

Describe microphylls.

Microphylls are small leaves with a single vein and no leaf gaps, evolved from simple appendages.

Describe megaphylls.

Megaphylls are large leaves with complex veins and leaf gaps, evolved from a branching structure.

What defines a homosporous life cycle?

Plants produce one type of spore that grows into a gametophyte producing both sperm and eggs.

What defines a heterosporous life cycle?

Plants produce two types of spores, leading to the development of male and female gametophytes.

What is significant about the sporophyte in seedless vascular plants?

The sporophyte is the dominant generation and larger than the gametophyte.

What does 'centrifugal growth' refer to in vascular plants?

It refers to the vascular cambium being located outside the xylem, allowing for greater growth.

What does 'centripetal growth' indicate?

It indicates vascular cambium is found inside the xylem, which can limit growth.

What are strobilus and sporophylls?

Strobilus is a cluster of sporangia; sporophylls are leaves that bear sporangia.

What is the significance of water for seedless vascular plants?

Water is required for fertilization due to motile sperm.

What type of life cycle does Lycopodium exhibit?

Lycopodium exhibits a homosporous life cycle.

What type of leaves do members of Monilophyta usually have?

Members of Monilophyta usually have megaphylls.