Lab 4: Seedless Vascular Plants & Gymnosperms

Term

Definition

Sporophyte

Diploid plant stage that makes spores

Sporophyll

Leaf with spore cases

Sorus (sori)

Cluster of spore cases on a fern leaf

Sporangium

Structure that makes and holds spores

Indusium

Covering over sori

Annulus

Ring of cells that helps ferns release spores

Gametophyte

Haploid plant stage that makes gametes

Prothallus

Small

Rhizoids

Small root-like anchors

Antheridium

Male part that makes sperm

Archegonium

Female part that makes eggs

Zygote

Fertilized egg

Rhizome

Underground stem for storage and growth

Frond

Fern leaf

Fiddlehead

Young coiled fern leaf

Microphyll

Small leaf with one vein

Homosporous

Makes one spore type

Heterosporous

Makes two spore types (male & female)

Strobilus (strobili)

Cone-like structure with spores

Cone (ovulate/staminate)

Gymnosperm reproductive structure (female/male)

Pollen grain

Male gametophyte of seed plants

Integument

Outer layer of ovule

Xylem

Tissue that carries water

Phloem

Tissue that carries food

Tracheids

Water-transport cells in gymnosperms

Softwood

Wood from conifers