Plant Biology Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on plant biology, including terrestrial plant adaptations, seedless and seed plants, plant organ systems, and plant reproduction.

Desiccation

The process of drying out; a major disadvantage faced by terrestrial plants.

Apical Meristem

Undifferentiated cells at shoot and root tips that proliferate throughout the plant's life, contributing to primary growth.

Waxy Cuticle

A waterproof layer on leaves and stems that prevents desiccation.

Lignin

A complex polymer in cell walls that provides structural support to terrestrial plants.

Sporophyte

The diploid (2n) generation in plants that produces haploid spores via meiosis.

Gametophyte

The haploid (n) generation in plants that produces gametes via mitosis.

Sporopollenin

A tough polymer found in spore cell walls, resistant to chemical and biological degradation.

Bryophytes

Seedless nonvascular plants like mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, with a dominant gametophyte generation.

Rhizoids

Root-like structures found in bryophytes that anchor the plant but do not absorb water and nutrients efficiently.

Antheridium

The male gametangium in bryophytes that releases sperm.

Archegonium

The female gametangium in bryophytes that contains the egg.

Homosporous

Producing one type of spore (characteristic of some seedless plants).

Microphylls

Small leaves with a single vascular strand, characteristic of lycophytes.

Megaphylls

Larger leaves with a branched vascular system.

Sporophylls

Modified leaves that bear sporangia.

Sporangium

A structure in which spores are produced via meiosis.

Microspores

Spores that develop into male gametophytes.

Megaspores

Spores that develop into female gametophytes.

Gymnosperms

Seed plants with naked seeds not enclosed in an ovary.

Monoecious

Having both male and female reproductive structures on the same plant.

Dioecious

Having male and female reproductive structures on separate plants.

Tracheids

A type of water-conducting cell in gymnosperms.

Angiosperms

Seed plants with seeds enclosed in an ovary, commonly known as flowering plants.

Carpel

The female reproductive structure of a flower, containing the ovary, style, and stigma.

Stamen

The male reproductive structure of a flower, containing the anther and filament.

Double Fertilization

A unique feature of angiosperms: one sperm fertilizes the egg, and the other fuses with polar nuclei to form the triploid endosperm.

Monocots

A class of angiosperms characterized by having one cotyledon, parallel leaf veins, and flower parts in multiples of three.

Eudicots

A class of angiosperms characterized by having two cotyledons, network leaf veins, and flower parts in multiples of four or five.

Coevolution

The process where two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution, such as flowering plants and their pollinators.

Shoot System

The aboveground part of a plant, consisting of stems, leaves, and flowers.

Root System

The underground part of a plant, responsible for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients.

Meristematic Tissue

Plant tissue consisting of actively dividing cells that contribute to plant growth.

Dermal Tissue

The outer protective layer of a plant, including the epidermis and periderm.

Vascular Tissue

Plant tissue that transports water (xylem) and nutrients (phloem) throughout the plant.

Ground Tissue

Plant tissue responsible for photosynthesis, storage, and support.

Primary Growth

The increase in length of a plant, originating from apical meristems.

Secondary Growth

The increase in thickness of a plant, originating from lateral meristems (vascular and cork cambium).

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma in angiosperms, or to the female cone in gymnosperms.

Fertilization

The fusion of sperm and egg, resulting in the formation of a zygote.

Self-Pollination

The transfer of pollen to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant.

Cross-Pollination

The transfer of pollen to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species.