Ch 25 Seedless Plants

Green Algal Ancestry

Refers to the evolutionary origin of land plants, highlighting similarities in structure and reproduction with charophytes.

Sporopollenin

A protective compound that helps spores resist desiccation and drying.

Cuticles

A waxy protective layer that helps prevent water loss in land plants.

Stomata

Small openings on plant surfaces that allow for gas exchange, crucial for photosynthesis and respiration.

Mycorrhizae

Symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots that enhance nutrient uptake.

Gametophyte

The dominant life stage in bryophytes that is free-living and photosynthetic.

Sporophyte

The life stage in bryophytes that is often smaller and dependent on the gametophyte.

Water-Dependent Fertilization

A fertilization process in bryophytes where flagellated sperm rely on water to swim to eggs.

Sporophyte Dominant

A characteristic of seedless vascular plants where the sporophyte generation is the main form.

Coal Forests

Ancient forests from the Carboniferous period, primarily consisting of large vascular seedless plants.

Megaphylls

Broad leaves found in some vascular plants, such as ferns.

Spore Dispersal

The process of spreading spores, which occurs in seedless vascular plants that do not produce seeds or pollen.