Plants and the Conquest of Land

A set of 20 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the evolution and features of land plants.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae

Fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, helping with nutrient absorption.

Streptophyte green algae

The sister group of land plants, closely related through shared characteristics.

Chlorophylls a & b

Photosynthetic pigments found in both green algae and land plants.

B-carotene

A pigment that aids in photosynthesis and is found in green plants.

Cellulose cell walls

Structural components of the cell wall in green plants and algae.

Cytokinesis

The process of cell division that differs in land plants compared to their algal relatives.

Plasmodesmata

Channels between plant cells that facilitate communication and transport.

Zygotic life cycle

Type of sexual reproduction where the zygote develops into a multicellular organism.

Sporic life cycle

Life cycle characterized by alternation of generations between sporophyte and gametophyte.

Apical meristems

Regions of actively growing cells at the tips of roots and shoots in plants.

Haploid spores

Cells produced by the sporophyte that can develop into gametophytes.

Sporophyte

The diploid phase of the plant life cycle; produces haploid spores.

Gametophyte

The haploid phase of the plant life cycle; produces haploid gametes.

Embryo nourishment

The process whereby the sporophyte embryo is supported by maternal tissues.

Bryophytes

Non-vascular land plants, including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

Lycophytes

Vascular plants including clubmosses and their relatives.

Pteridophytes

Vascular plants that reproduce via spores, including ferns.

Cycads

A group of seed plants known for their large cones and palmlike leaves.

Plant diversification

The evolution of different phyla and forms of land plants.

Nine phyla of land plants

Liverworts, Hornworts, Mosses, Lycophytes, Pteridophytes, Cycads, and others.

Evolutionary relationships

Connections among different plant groups based on common ancestry and traits.