Seed Plants Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to seed plants, including gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Gametophyte Generation

As you move from non-vascular plants to seed plants, the gametophyte generation gets smaller and smaller.

Microgametophyte

The male gametophyte found inside the small male cone of a pine tree that produces sperm.

Megagametophyte

The female gametophyte found in the larger female cone of a pine tree that produces eggs.

Components of a Seed

A seed has three components: the embryo, endosperm, and seed coat, each serving protective and nutritional functions.

Advantages of Seeds

Seeds provide advantages for dispersal compared to spores, including protection for the embryo and potential for dormancy.

Gymnosperm

A type of plant that has seeds but no flowers or fruits, with seeds exposed, such as pine trees.

Angiosperm

A type of plant that has flowers and fruits with seeds inside, such as roses.

Pollen

A gametophyte that allows gymnosperms and angiosperms to reproduce without water, a key adaptation for terrestrial life.

Ovary

The part of the flower that holds ovules and develops into fruit after fertilization.

Ovule

Contains the female gametophyte (eggs) where fertilization occurs and seeds form.

Stigma

The sticky tip of the style where pollen lands and fertilization begins.

Style

The tube that connects the stigma to the ovary, allowing pollen to reach the ovule.

Stamen

The male reproductive organ of a flower, comprising the anther and filament.

Anther

The part of the stamen that produces and releases pollen, the male gametophyte.

Cotyledon

The first leaf or leaf-like structure that comes from a seed during early germination.

Monocots vs. Eudicots

Monocots have one cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves, and flower parts in multiples of 3; eudicots have two cotyledons, net-veined leaves, and flower parts in multiples of 4 or 5.

Wood Composition

Wood is primarily made up of secondary xylem, consisting of annual rings, pith, secondary phloem, and xylem.