Gymnosperms

Seed

Reproductive body consisting of a young, multicellular plant and food reserves, enclosed by a seed coat.

Spore

Single cell with minimal food reserves.

Ovule

Structure in seed plants that develops into a seed following fertilization.

Integument

Outer layer of an ovule that develops into a seed coat following fertilization.

Gymnosperm

Any of a group of seed plants in which the seeds are not enclosed in an ovary.

Radicle

First root that emerges from the seed (embryonic root).

Testa

Outer most covering of the seed.

Cotyledon

Embyronic leaves.

Aril

Fleshy structure found in gymnosperms.

Pollen grain

Structure in seed plants that develops from a microspore into a male gametophyte.

Exocarp

Peel or skin of a fruit.

Mesocarp

Flesh of a fruit.

Endocarp

Skin of a seed.

Pericarp

Fusion of three fruit layers.

Conifers

Woody trees and shrubs with needlelike leaves, mostly evergreen, with seeds in cones.

Bristlecone pine

A species known scientifically as Pinus longevea.

Cycads

Palmlike or fernlike plants with pollen and seeds in conelike structures.

Ginkgo

Only surviving species in the phyla, known as Ginkgo biloba.

Gnetophytes

A group of seed plants that share traits with angiosperms.

Monoecious

Having male and female reproductive parts in separate flowers or cones on the same plant.

Dioecious

Having male and female reproductive structures on separate plants.

Pine sporophyte

Mature pine tree.

Heterosporous

Producing microspores and megaspores in separate cones.

Sporophyll

A leaflike structure that bears spores within a sporangium.

Microspores

Spores that develop into pollen grains carried to female cones by air currents.

Megaspores

Spores produced by female cones, with one developing into a female gametophyte.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen to female cones.

Pollen tube

A tube in seed plants formed after germination of a pollen grain through which male gametes pass into the ovule.

Archegonium

Structure within the megasporangium where the egg is located.

Ecological significance of conifers

They hold soil in place, reducing soil erosion and provide habitat for organisms.

Economic significance of conifers

Used for lumber, medicinal products, turpentine, landscape design, and Christmas trees.

Progymnosperms

Seedless vascular plants that evolved into seed plants.

Conifers and Cycads

Gymnosperms evolved from seedless vascular plants and include various groups such as.

Gnetophyte evolution

Its evolutionary relationship is unclear but is indicated to be closely related to conifers.

Sporangium

A structure in which spores are produced.

Gametophyte

The haploid form of a plant that produces gametes.

Seedless vascular plants

Plants that do not produce seeds, including ferns and their relatives.

False.

True or False: Gymnosperm seeds are enclosed in an ovary.

Diciduous trees

Trees that shed their leaves seasonally, such as Tectona philippinensis (Philippine teak).

Pine lifecycle

Includes a mature sporophyte stage and very small gametophytes that depend on sporophyte generation.

Conifer forests

Important ecological zones that act as watersheds and habitats.

conifers

Molecular data on gnetophytes indicates their close relation to.

Gymnosperms

have seeds, while seedless vascular plants do not.

Commercially important conifers

Grown for various products, including lumber and decorative uses.

Conifers' recreational uses

Includes camping, backpacking, and observing nature.

Meiosis

The process that produces megaspores in female cones.

Zygote

Develops into an embryo after fertilization.

Wind dispersal adaptation

The adaptation of seeds for spreading by the wind.

Cycads

Palmlike or fernlike appearance.

Ginkgo biloba

The only surviving species within its phyla, known for its unique leaves.

Cones

Structures on gymnosperms where seeds are exposed or borne.