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Questions and Answers
Which feature is characteristic of the plant kingdom?
Which feature is characteristic of the plant kingdom?
What does the term 'alternation of generation' refer to in plants?
What does the term 'alternation of generation' refer to in plants?
Cyanobacteria are no longer classified as algae because they are considered to be:
Cyanobacteria are no longer classified as algae because they are considered to be:
Which classification system relied heavily on morphological characteristics?
Which classification system relied heavily on morphological characteristics?
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What was a significant issue with early artificial classification systems of plants?
What was a significant issue with early artificial classification systems of plants?
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Study Notes
Plant Kingdom Overview
- Whittaker (1969) proposed the Five Kingdom classification system: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Animalia, and Plantae.
- The plant kingdom classification has changed over time, now excluding some organisms previously included in Plantae (due to further understanding of cell walls)
- The current classification focuses on Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.
Salient Features of Plants
- Plants are eukaryotic organisms containing chlorophyll.
- Some plants are partial heterotrophs (e.g., Venus flytrap, bladderwort) or parasites (e.g., Cuscuta).
- Plant cells have a eukaryotic structure, prominent chloroplasts, and cell walls mainly composed of cellulose.
- Plants exhibit alternation of generation with distinct diploid sporophytic and haploid gametophytic phases.
- The relative lengths and dependence of these phases vary between plant groups.
Plant Classification (Artificial Systems)
- Early classification systems relied on superficial characteristics such as habit, colour, leaf shape, etc., and androecium structure.
- These artificial systems were often based on a small number of vegetative characteristics.
- These characteristics are often influenced by the environment and do not represent evolutionary relationships as accurately as more holistic characteristics.
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Description
This quiz covers the classification of the Plant Kingdom as proposed by Whittaker, highlighting the changes over time and the characteristics of plants. Explore the different groups such as Algae, Bryophytes, and Angiosperms, and understand the importance of alternation of generations in their life cycles.
