Bio Lab 3 Practical Lab 5

dominant phase of the Gymnosperm life cycle

The sporophyte (diploid) phase.

structure that functions as a megasporangium in gymnosperms

The ovule within the female cone.

what does each megasporangium produce

A megaspore that develops into a female gametophyte with archegonia that produce eggs.

structure in gymnosperms that contains microsporangia

The male cone.

what does each microsporangium produce

Microspores that form pollen grains (male gametophytes).

what do male gametophytes produce

Sperm cells inside an antheridium.

three generations present within a seed

1) Mother sporophyte (diploid), 2) Daughter gametophyte (haploid), 3) New offspring sporophyte (diploid).

main reproductive innovation of Spermatopsida

Possession of seeds.

what does it mean that the gametophyte uses the mother sporophyte’s resources

The gametophyte depends on the sporophyte for nutrition and protection.

integument trait gymnosperms possess

Ovules with a single integument.

why are gymnosperms called 'naked seed' plants

Their seeds are exposed, not enclosed in fruit.

type of sperm cells advanced gymnosperms have

Nonmotile sperm cells.

defining synapomorphy of cycads

Possess a simple aerial trunk lacking lateral branching.

type of leaves cycads have

Pinnately compound leaves.

type of sperm cycads have

Flagellated, motile sperm.

type of cones cycads produce

Male and female cones (strobili).

how are cycads commonly pollinated

By insects (unusual for gymnosperms).

only extant species of Ginkgophyta

Ginkgo biloba.

two synapomorphies of Ginkgophyta leaves

Bi-lobed leaves and dichotomous leaf venation.

type of sperm ginkgos have

Motile sperm.

what covers ginkgo seeds

A fleshy seed coat (not a true fruit).

general leaf shape of Ginkgo biloba

Simple, fan-shaped leaves.

three genera of Gnetophyta

Ephedra, Gnetum, Welwitschia.

type of pollen Gnetophytes possess

Striate pollen.

unique xylem cells in Gnetophytes

Vessel elements with porose perforation plates.

do Gnetophytes have motile or nonmotile sperm

Nonmotile sperm.

habitat of Ephedra

Arid desert environments.

what are the leaves of Ephedra like

Small, scale-like leaves.

compound derived from Ephedra

Ephedrine (a stimulant).

type of leaves Gnetum has

Broad, flat leaves resembling angiosperms.

habitat Gnetum inhabits

Tropical forests.

habitat of Welwitschia

The Namib Desert.

unique feature of Welwitschia’s leaves

It has only two strap-like leaves that grow continuously throughout its life.

growth form of Welwitschia

Short woody stem and deep taproot.

key defining feature of conifers

They produce cones with exposed seeds.

type of leaves conifers have

Simple, highly-lignified leaves (needles or scales).

type of sperm conifers have

Nonmotile sperm.

what do male and female cones produce

Male cones produce pollen; female cones produce ovules/seeds.

environments conifers are adapted to

Cold, dry, or high-altitude habitats.

type of leaves Pinaceae members have

Needle-like leaves in clusters.

examples of genera in Pinaceae

Pinus, Picea, Tsuga.

describe Pinaceae cones

Woody female cones with spirally arranged scales.

two genera in Cupressaceae

Juniperus and Thuja.

type of leaves Cupressaceae have

Scale-like or awl-shaped leaves.

unique feature of Cupressaceae cones

Often fleshy or berry-like (e.g., juniper berries).

genus that represents Taxaceae

Taxus.

unique seed structure of Taxaceae

Seed partially enclosed in a red fleshy aril.

toxic compound found in yews

Taxine alkaloids (source of chemotherapy drug Taxol).

example genus in Araucariaceae

Araucaria.

where are Araucariaceae commonly found

Southern Hemisphere (e.g., Norfolk Island pine, monkey puzzle tree).

type of leaves Araucariaceae have

Large, overlapping, scale-like leaves.

Conifer with needle-like leaves in clusters

Family Pinaceae.

Conifer with fleshy, berry-like cones

Family Cupressaceae.

Conifer with single seed in a fleshy aril

Family Taxaceae.

Conifer with broad, flat leaves

Family Araucariaceae.

domain of gymnosperms

Eukarya.

kingdom gymnosperms belong to

Viridiplantae (Green Plants).

clade that includes land plants

Embryophyta.

clade that includes vascular plants

Tracheophyta.

class that includes all seed plants

Spermatopsida.

synapomorphy of Spermatopsida

Possess seeds.

what defines Gymnosperms

Naked seeds with a single integument.

what defines Cycadophyta

Simple aerial trunk with no lateral branching.

what defines Ginkgophyta

Bi-lobed leaves with dichotomous venation.

what defines Gnetophyta

Striate pollen and vessel elements with porose plates.

what defines Coniferophyta

Nonmotile sperm and simple, highly lignified leaves.