Unit 8: Gymnosperms

What are the two major groups of seed plants?

Gymnosperms and Angiosperms

What are the derived traits of seed plants?

1) Pollen grains make sperm 2) Eggs are made in ovules, 3) Ovules become seeds

What are the parts of an ovule?

1) Cell that produces egg 2) Integument that protects ovule

What is pollination?

The transfer of pollen to a part of plant containing ovule.

What is fertilization?

When sperm fuses with egg.

What happens to the ovule when the egg is fertilized?

The ovule becomes the seed

What happens to the egg when it is fertilized?

It becomes a zygote, which then becomes an embryo. The integument becomes the seed coat.

What are the advantages of seeds as a dispersal stage?

1) Can be dispersed long distances 2) Can remain dormant 3) Contain food supply for seedling growth

What are the three major phyla of Gymnosperms?

Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, and Coniferophyta

Which of the three phyla have separate male and female trees?

Cycadophyta and Ginkgophyta

What are the physical characteristics of Cycadophyta?

Very large cones and tough palm-shaped leaves.

What are the physical characteristics of Ginkgophyta?

Fan shaped leaves

What are the adaptations of Coniferophyta?

1) Needle-like leaves 2) Evergreen foliage 3) Conical Shape

What is the advantage of Needle-like leaves for Coniferophyta?

Thick cuticle that holds in water and stomata deep in needle to prevent freezing

What is the advantage of Evergreen foliage for Coniferophyta?

Don't drop leaves, can perform photosynthesis as soon as conditions allow.

What is the advantage of Conical shape for Coniferophyta?

Prevents snow from settling

When are Gymnosperms Haploid?

Between Meiosis and fertilization - when the sperm is meeting the egg but not yet fertilized.

What are ovulate cones?

Contain ovules where eggs are made, bigger than staminate cones.

What are staminate cones?

Contains microsporangia where pollen is made, smaller and softer than ovulate cones.

How are conifers pollinated?

Wind - pine pollen has "wings".

How does Gymnosperm pollen fertilize eggs?

Pollen forms a pollen tube toward ovule making egg, sperm swims down tube to egg, fertilization!

How are Gymnosperm seeds dispersed?

Wind.