Seedless Vascular Plants and Their Characteristics

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to seedless vascular plants, their characteristics, life cycle, and ecological significance.

What are seedless vascular plants?

Plants that have vascular tissue but do not produce seeds.

What characteristic is used to define vascular tissue?

Vascular tissue contains lignin.

What are true roots, stems, and leaves?

Structures found in vascular plants that are not present in non-vascular plants.

Name four lineages of seedless vascular plants.

Lycophyta, Psilotophyta, Pteridophyta, Equisetophyta.

Which generation is dominant in vascular plants?

The sporophyte generation.

How do sporophytes differ from gametophytes?

Sporophytes are independent, long-lived, and larger.

What is required for fertilization in seedless vascular plants?

Water is required for fertilization.

What do sporangia produce?

Sporangia produce spores.

What is heterospory?

The production of two different types of spores: microspores (male) and megaspores (female).

What is the significance of having male and female gametophytes?

It promotes cross-fertilization and genetic diversity.

What do gametophytes develop from?

Gametophytes arise from spores through mitosis.

What features help prevent self-fertilization in seedless vascular plants?

Asynchronous maturity of gametes and hormone regulation.

What is a key advantage of self-fertilization?

Can reproduce when isolated, far from other plants.

What are the general characteristics of Lycophyta?

Lycophyta includes club mosses, has a dominant sporophyte, and may utilize sexual and asexual reproduction.

How do ferns relate during their life cycle?

Ferns exhibit independent gametophyte and sporophyte generations.

Define the role of antheridia and archegonia.

Antheridia produce sperm, and archegonia produce eggs.

What are sori?

Clusters of sporangia found on the leaves of ferns.

How do spores disperse in seedless vascular plants?

Spores are often dispersed by wind.

What is the ecological significance of seedless vascular plants?

They contributed to the stabilization of soil and CO2 levels during their dominance.

What are two characteristics that differentiate spores from seeds?

Spores are unicellular haploid structures; seeds are multicellular diploid structures.

What advancements do seeds provide over spores?

Seeds offer better protection and a food supply, improving survival in harsh environments.