Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the evolution, classification, and characteristics of plants as taught in the lecture notes.

Sporopollenin

A polymer that prevents zygotes from drying out, found in both charophytes and plant spore walls.

Gametophyte

The multicellular haploid form in the alternation of generations; produces gametes by mitosis.

Sporophyte

The multicellular diploid form in the alternation of generations; produces haploid spores by meiosis.

Alternation of generations

A type of plant life cycle consisting of multicellular forms that give rise to each other in turn.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that conducts most of the water and minerals in vascular plants.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports organic materials, such as sugar, in vascular plants.

Apical meristems

Localized regions of continuous cell division at the tips of roots and shoots for growth.

Cuticle

A waxy covering of the epidermis in plants that reduces water loss.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular plants represented today by liverworts, mosses, and hornworts.

Homosporous

Producing one type of spore that typically develops into a bisexual gametophyte.

Heterosporous

Producing two types of spores that give rise to either male or female gametophytes.

Vascular plants

Plants that have vascular tissue for the transport of water and nutrients, allowing growth to larger sizes.

Angiosperms

Seed plants that produce seeds within chambers that develop from flowers.

Gymnosperms

Seed plants that produce 'naked seeds' not enclosed in chambers.

Charophytes

The closest relatives of plants, a group of green algae.

Embryophytes

Plants that have embryos, distinguishing them from algae.

Mycorrhizae

Symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots that aid nutrient absorption.