Plant Diversity

Flashcards covering plant evolution, phylogenetic tree, alternation of generations, and specific plant groups.

Evolution of Plants

The process where plants evolve and adapt to outcompete and survive, developing new traits and abilities.

Examples of Plant Evolution

Vascular structures, seeds, and different life cycle stage dominance.

Key features of Angiosperms

Seeds, flowers, and fruits

Pollination in Angiosperms

They use animals as pollinators for fertilization.

Key features of Gymnosperms

Seeds and pollen grains, gametes dispersed by the wind, and incredibly large heights and widths.

Key features of Seedless Vascular Plants

Vascular system, dependence on water for gamete dispersal

Key features of Non-Vascular Plants

Terrestrial habitat invasion

Key features of Algal Ancestors

Limited to aquatic habitats and dependence on water for gamete dispersal.

Alternation of Generations

The alternating multicellular generations of gametophyte (haploid) which produces gametes, and sporophyte (diploid) which produces spores.

A key difference between plant groups

The stage the plant spends most of its time in.

Nonvascular plants

Plants that lack vascular tissue and rely on water for gamete transport.

Dominant stage in Nonvascular plants

Gametophyte dominant (n).

Key features of Hepaticophyta (Liverworts)

Gametophyte dominant (n), pores for gas exchange, and gemma cups for asexual reproduction.

Key features of Bryophyta (Mosses)

Gametophyte dominant (n); sporophyte grows as brownish stalks producing spores.

Key features of Seedless Vascular Plants

Vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) enabling true roots, stems, and leaves

Dominant Stage in Seedless Vascular Plants

Dominant sporophyte generation

Key features of Lycophyta (Club Mosses)

Sporophyte dominant (2n), vascular tissue, and strobili (cones) for spore production.

Key features of Psilotophyta (Whisk Fern)

Sporophyte dominant (2n) and sporangium located on synangia.

Key features of Sphenophyta (Horsetails)

Sporophyte dominant (2n) and strobili (cones) at the tips of each stem.

Key features of Pteridophyta (Ferns)

Sporophyte dominant (2n); individual sporangia on underside of leaves in collections called sori, sometimes covered by an indusium.

Gymnosperms

Seed plants including Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, and Coniferophyta.

Key features of Gymnosperms

Vascular plants that possess seeds, dominant sporophyte generation (2n).

Gymnosperm Reproductive Cells

Seeds (female gametes) and pollen (male gametes).

Key features of Gymnosperms

Vascular plants that possess seeds, dominant sporophyte generation (2n)

Gymnosperm Growth

Secondary growth (wood and bark).

Key features of Cycadophyta (Cycads)

Large strobili; female strobilus round and squat, male strobilus long and elongated; pollen grains on/within the cone.

Key features of Ginkgophyta (Ginkgoes)

Only Gymnosperm to cycle leaves with the season; produces fleshy seeds.

Key features of Coniferophyta (Conifers)

Includes pines, firs, cypresses, junipers, and redwoods; conifers include the largest and longest-lived plants; have strobili (cones).

Angiosperms

Seed plants that possess flowers and fruit.

Key features of Angiosperms

Flowers and fruit allowed for vast expansion of native range

Key features of Anthophyta (Flowering Plants)

Flowers composed of stamen and carpels; seeds develop within the ovary, which becomes the fruit.