Plant Diversity Ⅰ: How Plants Colonized Land

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes about plant diversity and evolution.

Sporopollenin

A polymer that prevents zygotes from drying out, found in charophytes and plant spore walls.

Gametophyte

The multicellular haploid stage in the alternation of generations life cycle of plants, which produces gametes.

Sporophyte

The multicellular diploid stage in the alternation of generations life cycle of plants, which produces spores through meiosis.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular plants, including liverworts, mosses, and hornworts, characterized by having a dominant gametophyte stage.

Xylem

Vascular tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals in plants.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that conducts organic material, such as sugars, throughout the plant.

Apical Meristems

Regions of actively dividing cells at the tips of roots and shoots that allow for growth and elongation.

Homosporous

Producing one type of spore that typically develops into a bisexual gametophyte.

Heterosporous

Producing two types of spores: megaspores and microspores that develop into female and male gametophytes, respectively.

Angiosperms

Vascular plants that produce seeds enclosed within chambers, commonly known as flowering plants.

Gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants that produce seeds not enclosed in chambers, often referred to as having 'naked seeds'.

Cuticle

A waxy layer covering the epidermis of plants that serves to reduce water loss.

Stomata

Pores in plant leaves that facilitate gas exchange between the outside air and internal tissues.

Alternation of Generations

A plant life cycle where multicellular forms alternate between haploid gametophytes and diploid sporophytes.

Charophytes

Green algae that are the closest relatives of land plants, sharing key traits with them.

Vascular Plants

Plants that possess vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) for transport and structural support.