Plant Evolution and Classification Vocabulary

Questions and Answers

What is the cuticle?

early plant adaptation; a waxy protective covering on plant surfaces that prevents water loss

What is a spore?

haploid reproductive cell surrounded by a hard outer wall

What is a seed?

embryo surrounded by a protective coat

What is endosperm?

tissue that provides nourishment for the developing plant Signup and view all the answers

What is vascular tissue?

type of tissue that transports water and dissolved substances from one part of the plant to another Signup and view all the answers

What does xylem do?

carries water and inorganic nutrients in one direction, from the roots to the stems and leaves Signup and view all the answers

What does phloem carry?

carries organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, and some inorganic nutrients in any direction, depending on the plant's needs Signup and view all the answers

What is woody tissue?

tissue that is formed from several layers of xylem and that is usually concentrated in the center of the stem Signup and view all the answers

What does herbaceous mean?

plant that is soft and green Signup and view all the answers

What are nonvascular plants?

plants that lack specialized conducting tissues and true roots, stems, and leaves Signup and view all the answers

What are vascular plants?

plants that have specialized conducting tissues and true roots, stems, and leaves Signup and view all the answers

What are seed plants?

plants that produce seeds for reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What are gymnosperms?

produce seeds that are not enclosed in fruits Signup and view all the answers

What are angiosperms?

flowering plants; produce seeds within a protective fruit Signup and view all the answers

What is a sporophyte?

the diploid individual or generation that produces haploid spores Signup and view all the answers

What is a gametophyte?

a haploid individual that produces gametes Signup and view all the answers

What does alternation of generations mean?

type of life cycle which alternates between the gametophyte phase and the sporophyte phase Signup and view all the answers

What are Bryophytes?

the three phyla of nonvascular plants Signup and view all the answers

What are rhizoids?

rootlike structures which hold gametophytes in soil Signup and view all the answers

What is Sphagnum?

peat moss Signup and view all the answers

What does thalloid refer to?

flat body with distinguishable upper and lower surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is a strobilus?

cone; cluster of sporangia-bearing modified leaves Signup and view all the answers

What is a rhizome?

underground stem Signup and view all the answers

What are fiddleheads?

tightly coiled new leaves of ferns Signup and view all the answers

What are fronds?

developed and uncoiled fiddleheads Signup and view all the answers

What does germinate mean?

embryo begins to grow Signup and view all the answers

What is a seedling?

young plant Signup and view all the answers

What is a cone in botany?

reproductive structure composed of hard scales Signup and view all the answers

What does deciduous mean?

trees that lose their leaves at the end of the growing season Signup and view all the answers

What is ephedrine?

drug that is used as a decongestant Signup and view all the answers

What is an ovary in a flower?

female part of the flower that encloses the egg Signup and view all the answers

What are cotyledons?

seed leaves in a plant embryo Signup and view all the answers

What is a monocot?

have one cotyledon in their embryo Signup and view all the answers

What is a dicot?

have two cotyledons in their embryo Signup and view all the answers

What are veins in plants?

bundles of vascular tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is parallel venation?

veins running parallel to each other Signup and view all the answers

What is net venation?

veins that branch repeatedly, forming an interconnected network Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant Adaptations and Structures

Cuticle: A waxy layer that covers plant surfaces to minimize water loss, crucial for survival in terrestrial environments.
Spore: A haploid reproductive cell encased in a tough outer wall, enabling survival in harsh conditions.
Seed: Consists of an embryo with a protective coating, allowing plants to reproduce successfully.

Plant Tissues

Endosperm: Nutritive tissue that supports the developing plant embryo inside the seed.
Vascular tissue: Essential for transporting water and nutrients throughout the plant, comprising two main types.
Xylem: Responsible for transporting water and inorganic nutrients from roots to other parts of the plant in a unidirectional flow.
Phloem: Transports organic compounds like carbohydrates and some nutrients throughout the plant, functioning bidirectionally.

Plant Types and Characteristics

Woody tissue: Formed from multiple layers of xylem, typically found centrally in stems, contributing to structural support.
Herbaceous plants: Soft, non-woody plants characterized by green stems.
Nonvascular plants: Lack specialized tissues for transport, do not have true roots, stems, or leaves; examples include mosses.
Vascular plants: Possess true roots, stems, and leaves with specialized conducting tissues for efficient nutrient and water transport.
Seed plants: Reproduce by producing seeds, encompassing gymnosperms and angiosperms.
Gymnosperms: Non-flowering plants that produce seeds not enclosed by fruits.
Angiosperms: Flowering plants that produce seeds within a protective fruit.

Life Cycle and Reproductive Phases

Sporophyte: The diploid phase of the plant life cycle that generates haploid spores for reproduction.
Gametophyte: The haploid phase that produces gametes necessary for sexual reproduction.
Alternation of generations: A life cycle strategy where plants alternate between sporophyte and gametophyte stages.

Nonvascular Plants

Bryophytes: Includes three phyla of nonvascular plants, characterized by dependence on water for reproduction.
Rhizoids: Structures anchoring gametophytes to the soil, functioning similarly to roots.

Ferns and Other Features

Sphagnum: A type of peat moss, significant for water retention and carbon storage.
Thalloid: A flat plant body exhibiting clear upper and lower surfaces.
Strobilus: A reproductive structure resembling a cone, comprising sporangia-bearing modified leaves.
Rhizome: An underground stem that serves as a storage organ and means of vegetative reproduction.
Fiddleheads: The tightly coiled new leaves of ferns, emerging in spring.
Fronds: Developed leaves that unfold from fiddleheads.

Germination and Seedlings

Germinate: The process by which a seed embryo begins to develop and grow into a new plant.
Seedling: An early developmental stage of a plant emerging from the seed.

Reproductive Structures

Cone: A structure containing reproductive components, usually consisting of hard scales.
Deciduous trees: Trees that shed their leaves in autumn, adapting to seasonal changes.
Ovary: The part of the flower that encloses the ovules, protecting the developing seeds.

Cotyledons and Plant Classification

Cotyledons: Seed leaves that provide initial nutrients to the developing plant embryo.
Monocots: Plants characterized by a single cotyledon, typically exhibiting parallel venation.
Dicots: Plants with two cotyledons, often displaying net venation in leaves.
Veins: Bundles of vascular tissue that facilitate transportation within leaves.
Parallel venation: A leaf structure where veins run parallel to each other.
Net venation: A branching pattern of veins forming an interconnected network within leaves.

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Test your knowledge with these vocabulary flashcards focused on plant evolution and classification. Each card contains a key term and its definition, helping you understand essential concepts like cuticle, spores, seeds, and endosperm. Ideal for students of botany or plant sciences.