Key Events and Concepts in Plant Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering key events and concepts in plant evolution for study reference.

Age of the Earth

4600 million years ago (mya)

Origin of Life

Occurred around 3800 million years ago (mya)

First Eukaryotes

Appeared 1800 million years ago (mya)

First Multicellular Life

Emergence approximately 700 million years ago (mya)

First Land Plants

Emerged around 500 million years ago (mya)

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that appeared approximately 145 million years ago (mya)

Carl Linnaeus

Father of taxonomy; created a system for naming and classifying organisms.

Polynomial-Binomial

Linnaeus’ system for naming species using two Latin names, the genus and species.

Taxonomy

The science of classification of organisms.

Homology

Similarity in structure due to shared ancestry.

Homoplasy

Similar traits in organisms that do not share a common ancestor.

Cladistics

A method of classification based on shared characteristics.

Phylogenetic Tree

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Monophyletic

A lineage that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Paraphyletic

A group that includes a common ancestor but not all descendants.

Polyphyletic

A group that includes organisms from different lineages but not their last common ancestor.

Zygotic Life Cycle

Life cycle in which only the zygote is diploid.

Gametic Meiosis Life Cycle

Life cycle where meiosis produces gametes directly from a diploid individual.

Sporic Meiosis Life Cycle

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

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria known for producing oxygen and fixing nitrogen.

Endosymbiosis Theory

Theory that explains the evolution of chloroplasts and mitochondria in eukaryotic cells.

Haploid Life Cycle

Life cycle in which organisms live mostly as haploid cells.

Alternation of Generations

The transition between haploid (gametophyte) and diploid (sporophyte) generations in plant life cycles.

Non-tracheophytes

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

Guard Cells

Cells that control the opening and closing of stomata to regulate gas exchange.

Hydroids

Tissues in mosses that function similarly to xylem in vascular plants for water transport.

Archegonia

Female reproductive structures in some plants where eggs are produced.

Antheridia

Male reproductive structures in some plants where sperm is produced.

Sporangium

Structure that produces spores through meiosis.

Calyptra

Protective covering formed after fertilization in some plants.

Gemmae Cups

Structures in liverworts that aid in asexual reproduction.

Tracheophytes

Vascular plants that include all seed plants and ferns.

Heterospory

The production of two distinct types of spores by some plants.

Megasporangia

Structures producing large spores (megaspores) that develop into female gametophytes.

Microsporangia

Structures producing smaller spores (microspores) that develop into male gametophytes.

Ferns

Seedless vascular plants that reproduce via spores.