Adaptations of Seed Plants & Plant Anatomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms about seed plant adaptations, anatomy, and reproduction from the lecture notes.

Seed

Protects embryo; allows dormancy.

Pollen

Allows fertilization without water.

Gymnosperm

Naked seeds on cones; dominate northern latitudes; example: conifers.

Angiosperm

Flowering plants with fruits and enclosed seeds; most diverse plant group.

Sporophyte

Diploid generation in all plants.

Gametophyte

Haploid generation; produces gametes.

Sepal

Protects flower bud.

Petal

Attract pollinators.

Stamen

Male part (filament + anther).

Anther

Produces pollen.

Ovary

Becomes fruit.

Carpel (Pistil)

Female part (stigma, style, ovary).

Fruit

Protects & disperses seeds.

Flower

Modified leaves forming a reproductive structure (sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels).

Root

Anchor; absorb water/minerals; store nutrients.

Stem

Support; transport.

Leaf

Main photosynthetic organ.

Xylem

Transports water upward; dead cells.

Phloem

Transports sugar and nutrients; living cells.

Cuticle

Waxy layer preventing water loss.

Epidermis

Outer protective layer.

Periderm

Replaces epidermis in woody plants.

Legume

Fruit type (peas/beans).

Drupe

Fleshy fruit with a hard pit (stone).

Samaras

Winged fruit (maple seeds).

Cuttings

Stems with nodes placed in moist soil for propagation.

Scion

Grafting piece; the part grafted onto rootstock.

Apomixis

Asexual seed formation.

Alternation of generations

Life cycle alternating between diploid sporophyte and haploid gametophyte.

Cone position (Conifers)

Male cones usually lower; female cones above male to reduce self-pollination.

Basic plant organs

Roots, stems, and leaves are the basic plant organs.

Mosses

Non-vascular; do not have cones.