Plant Diversity & Life on Land

What are the four main plant groups and their basic vascular/seed traits?

Bryophytes are seedless and nonvascular; Pteridophytes are seedless and vascular; Gymnosperms are vascular with seeds on the outside and no flowers or fruit; Angiosperms are vascular with covered seeds and flowers or fruit.

What are three key benefits of seeds over spores?

Covering, dormancy, and food supply.

What features provide water balance adaptations in land plants?

Cuticle, needles, and resin.

What provides transport adaptations in land plants?

Vascular system.

What provides support adaptations in land plants?

Rigid cell walls and strong root systems.

What is the difference between simple and compound leaves?

A simple leaf is a single blade, whereas a compound leaf is multibladed and divided into leaflets.

What are the three leaf arrangements based on node attachment?

Alternate (one stem at each node), opposite (two leaves attached at the same node), and whorled (three or more leaves at the same node).

What are the five types of leaf venation patterns?

Parallel, pinnate, palmate, reticulate, and dichotomous.

Vascular Tissue

The complex transportation system in plants.

Cuticle

A waxy leaf covering helping with protection and water storage.

Stomata

Openings in leaves helping with water release and CO2 exchange.

Alternation of Generations

Reproductive cycle which shifts between diploid and haploid stages.

Sporophyte

The diploid stage in plants in which the plant starts to grow into its main body.

Gametophyte

The haploid phase in the life cycle of plants and algae that produces gametes via mitosis.

Adventitious root

An offshoot from the main root.