Seed Plants Reproduce: Characteristics and Sperm Cell Development

Study Notes

Produce seeds as a reproductive strategy
Have vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transportation of water and nutrients
Have roots, stems, and leaves as primary organs
Are heterosporous, producing two types of spores: megaspores and microspores

Sporophyte stage: The diploid plant body produces spores through meiosis.
Spore dispersal: Spores are released and dispersed away from the parent plant.
Gametophyte stage: A haploid gametophyte develops from a spore.
Fertilization: Sperm cells from the male gametophyte fuse with egg cells from the female gametophyte.
Zygote stage: The resulting zygote develops into an embryo.
Seed development: The embryo grows and matures into a seed.

Gymnosperms: Naked seeds, not enclosed in an ovary. Examples: conifers, cycads, and ginkgoes.
Angiosperms: Seeds enclosed in an ovary. Examples: flowering plants, including monocots and dicots.

Seeds provide protection: Seeds offer a protective environment for the embryo, allowing it to survive harsh conditions.
Seeds enable dispersal: Seeds can be dispersed away from the parent plant, increasing the chances of successful colonization.
Seeds allow for dormancy: Seeds can remain dormant for extended periods, allowing plants to survive unfavorable conditions.

Food source: Many seed plants are a primary source of food for humans and other animals.
Ecosystem engineering: Seed plants play a crucial role in shaping ecosystems and providing habitats for other organisms.
Ecological adaptations: Seed plants have evolved various adaptations to survive in diverse environments.

Seed plants reproduce using seeds as a strategy
They possess vascular tissues for transporting water and nutrients
They have three primary organs: roots, stems, and leaves
They are heterosporous, producing two types of spores: megaspores and microspores

Sporophyte stage: diploid plant body produces spores through meiosis
Spores are dispersed away from the parent plant
Gametophyte stage: haploid gametophyte develops from a spore
Fertilization: sperm cells from male gametophyte fuse with egg cells from female gametophyte
Zygote stage: resulting zygote develops into an embryo
Seed development: embryo grows and matures into a seed

Gymnosperms: produce naked seeds, not enclosed in an ovary, examples include conifers, cycads, and ginkgoes
Angiosperms: produce seeds enclosed in an ovary, examples include flowering plants, including monocots and dicots

Seeds provide protection for the embryo, allowing it to survive harsh conditions
Seeds enable dispersal, increasing the chances of successful colonization
Seeds allow for dormancy, enabling plants to survive unfavorable conditions

Many seed plants are a primary source of food for humans and other animals
Seed plants play a crucial role in shaping ecosystems and providing habitats for other organisms
They have evolved various adaptations to survive in diverse environments