Plant Classification Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements describes nonvascular plants?

Grow tall and large

Have a system of tubelike structures

Absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves (correct)

Have true roots

What are examples of moss?

Moss, liverwort, hornwort

What beneficial role do mosses play in the environment?

They help prevent erosion and are often among the first plants to grow in disturbed areas.

What is liverwort?

A nonvascular plant with leaves resembling plates Signup and view all the answers

Which plant typically has chloroplasts that can store carbon dioxide?

Hornwort Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of vascular plants?

They have tubelike structures to transport water and nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What defines seedless vascular plants?

They reproduce through rhizomes and spores. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes horsetails?

They have tall, hollow, jointed stems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of club moss?

They do not usually grow taller than 30 cm. Signup and view all the answers

What are the reproductive structures of ferns called?

Fronds Signup and view all the answers

Which group of plants produces seeds?

Vascular seed-bearing plants Signup and view all the answers

What is a spore?

A reproductive particle released by a fungus, alga, or plant. Signup and view all the answers

What are gymnosperms?

Plants that produce seeds in cones. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes ginkgoes?

They have round cones and fan-shaped leaves. Signup and view all the answers

Where are gnetophytes typically found?

In hot, dry deserts or tropical rainforests Signup and view all the answers

What are conifers?

Most gymnosperms that are evergreen. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes angiosperms?

Plants that produce flowers and fruit. Signup and view all the answers

Define an annual plant.

An angiosperm that lives for only one growing season. Signup and view all the answers

What is a biennial plant?

An angiosperm that needs two growing seasons to fully develop. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a perennial plant?

An angiosperm that lives for three or more years. Signup and view all the answers

What are monocotyledons?

Angiosperms that have one cotyledon in the seed. Signup and view all the answers

What are dicotyledons?

Angiosperms that have two cotyledons in the seed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nonvascular Plants

Absorb moisture and nutrients through leaves, often found in moist environments.
Do not grow large or have true roots; instead, use rhizoids at the base.
Examples include moss, liverwort, and hornwort.

Moss

Typically spread in groups and cover vast areas.
They are pioneer plants, aiding in soil stabilization after disturbances like fires or volcanic eruptions.
Peat moss has applications in heating, cooking, gardening, and medicine.

Liverwort

Features leaf-like structures on stems, some flattened resembling a liver.
Contains numerous chloroplasts and cannot store carbon dioxide.
Spore capsules release spores rapidly, usually within hours.

Hornwort

Chloroplasts are large and can store carbon dioxide, essential for photosynthesis.
Lacks oil bodies typically found in other plant cells.
Capable of continuous spore production, often found in aquatic habitats.

Vascular Plants

Possess a system of tubelike structures for water and nutrient transport.
This vascular system supports and strengthens the plant’s structure.

Seedless Vascular Plants

Reproduce via rhizomes and spores rather than seeds, primarily in moist areas.
Examples include horsetails, clubmoss, and ferns.

Horsetails

Characterized by tall, hollow stems with jointed sections.
Needle-like branches may grow at joints, and small scale-like leaves often hug the stem.
Thrive in wet environments such as riverbanks and marshes.

Club Moss

Generally do not exceed 30 cm in height and resemble miniature evergreen trees.
Known for growing in mixed forest settings.

Ferns

Display fronds; young fronds are called fiddleheads.
Produce spores in casings located on the underside of leaves.

Seed Bearing Vascular Plants

Reproduce with seeds, differentiated into gymnosperms and angiosperms based on seed production methods.

Seed

Defines a plant embryo with nutritional reserves located in the cotyledon.

Spore

A microscopic reproductive particle released by plants, fungi, or algae that can germinate into a new organism.

Gymnosperms

Produce seeds within cones; key examples include cycads, ginkgoes, gnetophytes, and conifers.

Ginkgoes

Feature round cones and fan-shaped leaves that yellow in autumn; they are deciduous.

Gnetophytes

Adaptable to hot, dry areas or tropical rainforests; can be trees, shrubs, or vines.
Some have cone-like structures that resemble flowers.

Conifers

Majority are evergreen with needle-like or scalelike leaves; live longer in colder climates.
Include both tall trees and woody shrubs.

Angiosperms

Vascular plants that produce flowers and fruit, crucial for food and medicine.
Classified into monocots and dicots based on seed structure.

Annual

Angiosperms that complete their life cycle within one growing season (e.g., marigolds, tomatoes).

Biennial

Angiosperms that require two growing seasons to mature (e.g., parsley, carrots).

Perennial

Angiosperms that live for three or more years, includes trees, shrubs, and smaller plants like spearmint.

Monocotyledons (Monocots)

Have one cotyledon; exhibit non-arranged tubelike structures.
Characterized by long, narrow leaves with parallel veins, includes grain species.

Dicotyledons (Dicots)

Feature two cotyledons; tubelike structures arranged in a ring for thicker growth.
Broad, flat leaves with a net of veins, include many common plants like roses and beans.

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Description

Explore the world of nonvascular plants with these flashcards. Learn about their unique characteristics, growth habits, and examples such as moss and liverwort. Perfect for students of botany or anyone interested in plant biology.