Plant Taxonomy and Photosynthesis Quiz

Definition: Classification of plants based on shared characteristics.
Major Divisions:
- Bryophytes: Non-vascular plants (e.g., mosses).
- Pteridophytes: Vascular plants that reproduce via spores (e.g., ferns).
- Gymnosperms: Seed-producing plants with exposed seeds (e.g., conifers).
- Angiosperms: Flowering plants with seeds enclosed in fruit.
Taxonomic Ranks:
- Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Binomial Nomenclature: Two-part scientific naming system; Genus species (e.g., Rosa rubiginosa).

Definition: Process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.
Main Components:
- Chlorophyll: Green pigment in chloroplasts; absorbs light energy.
- Equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
Stages:
- Light-dependent Reactions: Occur in thylakoid membranes; convert solar energy to ATP and NADPH.
- Light-independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle): Occur in the stroma; use ATP and NADPH to synthesize glucose.

Basic Structures:
- Roots: Anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support the plant, transport nutrients and water.
- Leaves: Main site of photosynthesis; exchange gases via stomata.
Tissues:
- Dermal Tissue: Protective outer layer.
- Vascular Tissue: Xylem (water transport) and phloem (nutrient transport).
- Ground Tissue: Fills space; involved in photosynthesis, storage, and support.

Sexual Reproduction:
- Involves the fusion of gametes; leads to genetic diversity.
- Flower Structure: Sepals, petals, stamens (male), pistils (female).
- Pollination: Transfer of pollen; can be biotic (insects, birds) or abiotic (wind, water).
Asexual Reproduction:
- Clonal reproduction without gamete fusion; methods include:
  - Vegetative Propagation: Using plant parts (e.g., cuttings, tubers).
  - Apomixis: Seed production without fertilization.

Oxygen Production: Major contributor to atmospheric oxygen through photosynthesis.
Habitat: Provides habitat and food for numerous organisms.
Erosion Control: Roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
Carbon Sequestration: Absorb CO₂, mitigating climate change impacts.
Nutrient Cycling: Participate in the nutrient cycle, returning organic matter to the soil.

Classification of plants based on shared characteristics enhances the understanding of biodiversity.
Major divisions include:
- Bryophytes: Non-vascular plants such as mosses that thrive in moist environments.
- Pteridophytes: Vascular, spore-reproducing plants like ferns, often found in shaded, humid areas.
- Gymnosperms: Seed-producing plants like conifers that bear exposed seeds not enclosed in fruit.
- Angiosperms: Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within fruits, comprising the largest group of plants.
Taxonomic ranks organize biological classification into levels: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Binomial nomenclature assigns each species a two-part name: Genus followed by species identifier (e.g., Rosa rubiginosa).

Process through which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, crucial for life on Earth.
Main components include:
- Chlorophyll, the green pigment in chloroplasts, captures light energy necessary for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis equation:
- 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, illustrates the transformation of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Stages of photosynthesis consist of:
- Light-dependent reactions occurring in thylakoid membranes, converting solar energy into ATP and NADPH.
- Light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle) take place in the stroma, utilizing ATP and NADPH to synthesize glucose.

Basic structures of plants include:
- Roots, which anchor the plant and absorb water and essential nutrients from the soil.
- Stems, providing support while facilitating the transport of nutrients and water throughout the plant.
- Leaves, the primary site for photosynthesis, facilitate gas exchange via stomata.
Plant tissues are categorized into three types:
- Dermal tissue acts as a protective outer layer.
- Vascular tissue comprises xylem for water transport and phloem for nutrient distribution.
- Ground tissue fills spaces in plants; it plays roles in photosynthesis, storage, and support.

Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of gametes, resulting in genetically diverse offspring.
Flower structure consists of:
- Sepals (protective outer leaves), petals (attract pollinators), stamens (male reproductive organ), and pistils (female reproductive organ).
Pollination can occur through biotic agents like insects and birds or abiotic factors like wind and water.
Asexual reproduction, which enables clonal proliferation without gamete fusion, includes:
- Vegetative propagation, where parts of the plant (like cuttings or tubers) grow into new plants.
- Apomixis, enabling seed production without fertilization.

Plants are integral to oxygen production, contributing to the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
They provide vital habitats and food sources for numerous organisms within ecosystems.
Roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, maintaining soil health and integrity.
Through carbon sequestration, plants absorb CO₂, playing a critical role in combating climate change.
Plants participate in nutrient cycling, helping to return organic matter to the soil, essential for ecosystem productivity.