Plant Diversity Chapter 29

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to plant diversity as discussed in Chapter 29 of the lecture notes.

Charophyte Algae

An ancestral group to embryophytes (plants) that shares features with land plants.

Embryophytes

Land plants that evolved from ancestral charophytes, characterized by multicellular gametangia and an embryo.

Gametangia

Multicellular structures in plants that produce gametes; includes antheridia (male) and archegonia (female).

Stomata

Pores surrounded by cells which control gas exchange and water loss in plants.

Gametophyte

The dominant generation in nonvascular plants that is haploid and responsible for gamete production.

Sporophyte

The diploid generation of plants that produces spores through meiosis.

Mosses

Nonvascular plants (Bryophytes) that require water for reproduction and have gametophyte-dominant life cycles.

Tracheophytes

Vascular plants that evolved to have tissues for water and nutrient transport, including xylem and phloem.

Microphylls

Leaves with a single, unbranched vascular system typical of lycophytes.

Megaphylls

Leaves with a branched vascular system, characteristic of various vascular plants including ferns.

Heterosporous

Plants that produce two types of spores; male (microspores) and female (megaspores).

Rhizomes

Modified stems that grow horizontally underground, serving as a storage organ and a means of vegetative reproduction.

Sporangia

Structures in which spores are produced; found in both vascular and nonvascular plants.

Peat Pods

Sphagnum moss structures that create acidic conditions, inhibit decomposition, and act as carbon sinks.