Life Cycles Lecture

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to life cycles in plants and organisms.

Life Cycle

The series of stages in an organism's life from birth to reproduction.

Haploid

A cell or organism having a single set of chromosomes (n).

Diploid

A cell or organism having two complete sets of chromosomes (2n).

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid gametes.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.

Sporophyte

The diploid phase of a plant's life cycle; develops from a zygote and produces spores.

Gametophyte

The haploid phase of a plant's life cycle; develops from spores and produces gametes.

Alternation of Generations

A reproductive cycle in plants where there are alternation between the sporophyte and gametophyte phases.

Gametes

Reproductive cells, i.e., sperm and eggs, that are produced by meiosis.

Polyploidy

A condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes, common in plants.

Sporic Life Cycle

A type of life cycle in plants characterized by the alternation of the sporophyte and gametophyte generations.

Gametangium

A multicellular structure in which gametes are produced.

Antheridium

The male gametangium that produces sperm in certain plants.

Archegonium

The female gametangium that produces eggs in certain plants.

Annuals

Plants that complete their life cycle in one year.

Biennials

Plants that complete their life cycle in two years.

Perennials

Plants that can live for three years or more and often have a lifespan beyond that.