Study Questions Week 7

Study Questions Week 7

General Concepts

1. Characteristics Distinguishing Plants from Algal Ancestors

   • Multicellular structure
   • Presence of plastids
   • Primarily terrestrial habitat; algae predominantly aquatic

2. Key Adaptations for Survival on Land

   • Cuticle: Prevents water loss
   • Stomata: Facilitates gas exchange
   • Vascular Tissue: Provides support and transport of water and nutrients

3. Significance of Plastids

   • Involved in photosynthesis and biosynthetic processes

4. Differences from Closest Green Algal Relatives

   • Multicellular tissues
   • Alternation of generations
   • Specialized reproductive structures (gametangia)

Evolution and Life Cycles

5. Origin of Land Plants

   • Evolved from streptophyte algae, specifically similar to Charophycean algae

6. Haploid-Dominant (Zygotic) Life Cycle

   • Dominated by the haploid stage; found in some algae

7. Alternation of Generations

   • Involves both multicellular haploid (gametophyte) and diploid (sporophyte) stages
   • Unlike zygotic cycle with a brief diploid phase

8. Function of Gametophytes in Reproduction

   • Produce haploid gametes via mitosis that fuse to form a diploid zygote

9. Structures Protecting Gametes from Desiccation

   • Gametangia:
     • Antheridia: for sperm
     • Archegonia: for eggs

10. Main Differences between Gametophytes and Sporophytes

    • Gametophytes:
      • Haploid
      • Produce gametes
    • Sporophytes:
      • Diploid
      • Produce spores

Plant Classification and Phyla

11. Major Phyla of Plants

    • Hepatophyta: Liverworts
    • Bryophyta: Mosses
    • Anthocerophyta: Hornworts
    • Lycophyta: Lycophytes
    • Pteridophyta: Ferns
    • Cycadophyta: Cycads
    • Ginkgophyta: Ginkgos
    • Coniferophyta: Conifers
    • Anthophyta: Angiosperms

12. Traits Distinguishing Bryophytes

    • Lack of vascular tissue
    • Dominant gametophytes
    • Dependence on water for sperm movement

13. Moist Environments of Bryophytes

    • Required for flagellated sperm to swim to eggs

14. Reproductive Adaptations of Bryophytes

    • Production of tough-walled spores
    • Reliance on water for fertilization
    • Protective gametangia

15. Differences Among Liverworts, Mosses, and Hornworts

    • Liverworts lack true stomata
    • Mosses and hornworts have stomata

16. Role of Rhizoids in Bryophytes

    • Anchor the plant
    • Aid in water absorption
    • Not equivalent to true roots

Vascular and Seedless Plants

17. Significance of Vascular Tissue

    • Transports water, nutrients, and food
    • Supports larger plant growth

18. Differences Between Lycophytes and Pteridophytes

    • Lycophytes: microphylls (small leaves, single vein)
    • Pteridophytes: megaphylls (larger leaves, multiple veins)

19. Characteristics of Seedless Vascular Plants

    • Possess vascular tissue
    • Reproduce via spores

20. Transport Mechanism in Lycophytes

    • Vascular tissue:
      • Xylem for water transport
      • Phloem for nutrient distribution

21. Tracheophytes

    • Plants with vascular tissue enabling efficient water transport and structural support

22. Historical Abundance of Lycophytes and Pteridophytes

    • Dominated Carboniferous forests, forming swampy ecosystems; declined with climate change

23. Structures in Ferns Housing Spores

    • Spores are found in sporangia, often in clusters called sori

24. Differences Between Sporophyte and Gametophyte Stages

    • Sporophyte: Dominant stage, larger
    • Gametophyte: Smaller, free-living

25. Role of Sori in Fern Reproduction

    • Contain sporangia producing spores for reproduction

Gymnosperms and Their Evolution

1. Climate Changes Affecting Gymnosperms

   • Cooler, drier conditions led to decline of lycophytes and pteridophytes, allowing gymnosperms to diversify

2. Major Groups of Gymnosperms

   • Cycadophyta: cycads
   • Ginkgophyta: ginkgoes
   • Coniferophyta: conifers
   • Gnetophyta: gnetophytes

3. Naked Seeds in Gymnosperms

   • Seeds not enclosed by fruit

4. Reproductive Adaptations of Gymnosperms

   • Produce seeds and pollen for fertilization without water

5. Common Characteristics of Conifers

   • Needle-like leaves, cone production, many are evergreen

Seed Evolution and Adaptations

6. Advantages of Seeds over Spores

   • Protection, nourishment, and potential dormancy

7. Development of Seeds from Ovules

   • Ovule matures into seed after fertilization, containing embryo and nutritive tissue

8. Heterospory

   • Production of two types of spores (microspores and megaspores) enhances genetic diversity

9. Function of Pollen Tube

   • Delivers sperm directly to egg, bypassing the need for water

10. Seed Dispersal in Gymnosperms

    • Dispersed by wind, animals, or environmental factors

Angiosperms and Their Unique Features

11. Distinguishing Features of Angiosperms

    • Presence of flowers and fruits aiding in seed dispersal

12. Major Groups of Angiosperms

    • Monocots: One cotyledon
    • Eudicots: Two cotyledons

13. Role of Flowers in Angiosperm Success

    • Attract pollinators, enhancing reproductive efficiency

14. Function of Endosperm in Seeds

    • Nutritional support for the developing embryo

15. Double Fertilization in Angiosperms

    • One sperm fertilizes the egg forming an embryo, the other forms triploid endosperm

16. Fruits and Seed Dispersal

    • Fruits attract animals for consumption and seed dispersal

17. Differences between Monocots and Eudicots

    • Monocots: parallel-veined leaves
    • Eudicots: net-veined leaves

18. Water Transport Adaptations in Angiosperms

    • Vessel elements in xylem provide efficient water transport

19. Co-evolution with Pollinators

    • Specific flower traits help attract certain pollinators

20. Importance of Seed Dormancy

    • Allows seeds to survive unfavorable conditions and germinate at the right time

Impact of Plants on Earth

21. Early Land Plants and Atmospheric Changes

    • Increased oxygen levels, development of soil

22. Placental Transfer Tissue

    • Nourishes developing embryos; significant evolutionary step

23. Role of Land Plants in Animal Colonization

    • Provided oxygen and food, making land habitable for animals

24. Gymnosperms and Angiosperms in Ecosystems

    • Dominance in forests, influence climate, support diverse life forms

25. Advantages of Angiosperms over Gymnosperms

    • More efficient reproduction with flowers, fruits, and diverse pollination strategies.