Plant Biology Concepts

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts in plant biology based on lecture notes.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus.

LECA

Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor, the most recent common ancestor of all eukaryotes.

Alphaproteobacteria

A group of Proteobacteria that includes important organisms such as mitochondria.

Asgard

A proposed superphylum of archaea believed to be closely related to eukaryotes.

Gracilicutes

A division of bacteria characterized by a thin cell wall.

Bacteria

Unicellular microorganisms that can have varying shapes and metabolic types.

CPR/Patescibacteria

A group of uncultured bacteria known for their ecological significance.

Terrabacteria

A clade of bacteria that includes terrestrial organisms.

DPANN

A group of archaeal organisms with minimal genomes and unique metabolic features.

LUCA

Last Universal Common Ancestor, the most recent common ancestor of all current life.

Archaea

A domain of single-celled microorganisms that are prokaryotic and distinct from bacteria.

Multicellular life

Organisms composed of multiple cells that may function independently or collectively.

Sporopollenin

A durable polymer found in plant spore walls and in the protective layers of charophytes.

Embryophytes

Land plants characterized by the retention of the embryo within the female gametophyte.

Haplodiplontic life cycle

A life cycle that alternates between a multicellular haploid stage (gametophyte) and a multicellular diploid stage (sporophyte).

Vascular tissue

Specialized plant tissue that conducts water and nutrients (xylem and phloem).

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in fruit.

Gymnosperms

Seed plants that bear their seeds directly on the surface of cones.

Microsporangium

A structure that produces microspores, which develop into pollen grains.

Pollen tube

A tube that forms after a pollen grain germinates, allowing sperm cells to reach the ovule.

Cuticle

A waxy protective layer on the surface of leaves that reduces water loss.

Meristem

Perpetually embryonic tissue in plants that allows for growth in length or thickness.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored as glucose.

Gametophyte

The haploid phase of the plant life cycle that produces gametes.

Sporophyte

The diploid phase of the plant life cycle that produces spores through meiosis.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that carries water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.