Seed Plants

Gymnosperms

Ovules + seeds exposed on surface of sporophylls (naked seeds-no fruit)

Conifers

Leaves are tough + needlelike w/ thick cuticle + recessed stomata (to conserve water); “soft wood” – mostly made of xylem tissue (tree/shrub with cone)

Cycads

Trunk = short/thick/unbranched/large leaves grow in clusters at stem top’ pollinated by insects, seed cones/pollen on separate plants + endangered b/c habitat destruction

Ginkos - Ginko Biloba = only surviving

Dioecious (M/F on separate plants); fan-shaped leaves, smelly/poisonous seeds, delicacy, heat/cold/pollution tolerant

Gnetophytes

Xylem similar to angiosperms/strobili (cones) uniform structure; no archegonia

Seed

Seed coat + Stored food, allow embryo to survive harsh conditions during dormancy

Heterosporous

Drought resistant pollen grains, ovule develops into seed

Seed Advantages

Can remain dormant in soil, good for land reproduction/ improved dispersal,food storage (endosperm), sperm reaches egg without swimming in water

Seed Plant Characteristics

Pollen: male gametophytes; Ovules: protection + nutrition to female gametophytes; Wood: strengthens plants, allows them to get taller

Terrestrial Biome

Vast, cold, coniferous forest biome covering the northern hemisphere just south of the arctic tundra, stretching across Russia and Canada

Temperate Rainforest

Rare, lush forest ecosystem found in coastal temperate zones with high rainfall, mild winters, and cool summer

Rainforest

Dense, warm, and wet forest ecosystem characterized by high annual rainfall and high biodiversity