Seed Plants: Gymnosperms Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the distinguishing feature of Ginkgo biloba's leaves?

  • They are scale-like.
  • They are broad and flat.
  • They have a dichotomous venation pattern. (correct)
  • They are needle-like.
  • Why are only male Ginkgo biloba trees typically planted in gardens?

  • They produce more cones.
  • Female trees produce seeds with a foul smell. (correct)
  • Their leaves are more attractive.
  • Male trees grow taller.
  • Which of the following statements about Gnetophytes is true?

  • They are exclusively found in temperate climates.
  • They do not share similarities with angiosperms.
  • They possess vessel elements in their xylem. (correct)
  • They have only one species.
  • What is the primary medicinal use of the compound ephedrine sourced from Ephedra?

    <p>As a potent decongestant. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which environment is the Welwitschia plant associated with?

    <p>Deserts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of leaves do Gnetum species typically have?

    <p>Broad. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long can a Welwitschia plant potentially live?

    <p>Up to 2000 years. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic differentiates gnetophytes from other gymnosperms?

    <p>Possession of vessel elements in xylem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the gynoecium consist of?

    <p>Ovary, stigma, and style (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do stigmas function in the reproductive process?

    <p>They act as the site for pollen deposition (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a function of the carpel?

    <p>Producing microspores (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the flower is primarily responsible for producing pollen grains?

    <p>Anther (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of a fruit in botanical terms?

    <p>It contains seeds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is an example of fleshy fruit?

    <p>Peach (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which fruit is derived from separate ovaries in a single flower?

    <p>Raspberry (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do fruits contribute to seed dispersal?

    <p>They attract herbivores and aid in seed distribution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary strategy plants use to deter herbivores?

    <p>Developing high levels of alkaloids (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the relationship between herbivorous animals and plant seeds?

    <p>Herbivores aid in the dispersal of plant seeds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptation helps insect-pollinated flowers attract their target pollinators?

    <p>Ultraviolet reflectance patterns (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about plant defense mechanisms is true?

    <p>Specialized mouthpieces of animals can overcome some defenses (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What flower characteristics are preferred by hummingbirds?

    <p>Long funnel-shaped, red flowers with little smell (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many types of plants depend on animal pollination?

    <p>Around 200,000 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of pollinator is primarily attracted to white flowers that open at night?

    <p>Moths (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason some plants developed specific adaptations to attract pollinators?

    <p>To ensure successful cross-pollination (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major consequence of the disappearance of bees on agriculture?

    <p>Disruption of pollination, affecting crops that rely on it. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which seed plants are considered staples in many human diets?

    <p>Rice, wheat, and potatoes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Alice Ball contribute to medicine in relation to plant derivatives?

    <p>She developed a method to extract active compounds from chaulmoogra oil effectively. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How have plants been utilized in medicine historically?

    <p>Due to their curative properties noted in ancient writings. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the medicinal properties of plants is true?

    <p>Some extracts can be therapeutic at low doses but harmful at high doses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes monocots from eudicots in terms of cotyledons?

    <p>Monocots have one cotyledon. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can happen to the medicinal efficacy of a plant extract at varying concentrations?

    <p>It can become toxic at higher concentrations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During what period did the majority of crops get developed for agriculture?

    <p>The Agricultural Revolution. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are the veins arranged in the leaves of eudicots?

    <p>In a network or branched pattern. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is typical of monocot vascular tissue?

    <p>Scattered throughout the stem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of root system do eudicots generally exhibit?

    <p>A tap root with many lateral roots. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the pollen structure of monocots differ from that of eudicots?

    <p>Monocots have monosulcate pollen. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which floral part arrangement is common in eudicots?

    <p>Four or five, or multiples thereof. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological role do seed plants primarily fulfill?

    <p>They stabilize soils and moderate climate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What hypothesis suggests a link between the diversification of flowering plants and insects?

    <p>Herbivory and pollination coevolution hypothesis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes gymnosperms from homosporous plants?

    <p>Gymnosperms produce two types of spores: megaspores and microspores. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary ecological role of the sporophyte generation in seed plants?

    <p>It is the more significant and larger generation within the species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is characteristic of gymnosperm reproduction?

    <p>Female gametophytes produce eggs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which evolutionary trait is demonstrated by the transition from gametophyte to sporophyte dominance in seed plants?

    <p>Reduction in gametophyte size to a microscopic stage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about spore production is true for seed plants?

    <p>They can produce both male and female spores. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does water play in the reproductive cycle of seedless vascular plants compared to seed plants?

    <p>Water is crucial for the fertilization process in seedless vascular plants only. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were the earliest plants to colonize land likely related to?

    <p>Liverworts and mosses. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the relationship between gametophytes and sporophytes in gymnosperms is correct?

    <p>Gametophytes are reduced and reliant on sporophytes for nutrients. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Gymnosperms

    Seed plants that do not produce flowers and fruits, with "naked" seeds.

    Seed plants

    Plants that produce seeds, which contain the embryo and stored food.

    Heterosporous

    Producing two different types of spores: megaspores (female) and microspores (male).

    Megaspores

    Spores that develop into female gametophytes, which produce eggs.

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    Microspores

    Spores that develop into male gametophytes, which produce sperm.

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    Gametophyte

    The haploid phase of a plant life cycle that produces gametes (sperm and egg).

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    Sporophyte

    The diploid phase of a plant life cycle that produces spores.

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    Alternation of generations

    The plant life cycle that alternates between a haploid gametophyte and a diploid sporophyte generation.

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    What is a carpel?

    The female reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary.

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    What is the function of the stigma?

    The sticky tip of the carpel that receives pollen grains.

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    What happens in the ovary?

    The ovary houses one or more ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization.

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    What is the androecium?

    The male reproductive organ of a flower, composed of stamens.

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    What is the function of the anther?

    The sac-like structure at the top of a stamen where microspores are produced and develop into pollen grains.

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    What is a fruit?

    A fertilized and ripened ovary of a flower; it protects and disperses seeds.

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    What are fleshy fruits?

    Fruits with soft, juicy tissue, like berries, peaches, or tomatoes.

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    What are dry fruits?

    Fruits with a dry outer layer, like nuts, grains, or pods.

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    Ginkgo biloba

    The only surviving species of ginkgophyte, characterized by fan-shaped leaves with dichotomous venation.

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    Gnetum species

    Gnetophytes that are mostly vines found in tropical and subtropical regions.

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    Welwitschia

    A low-growing, unusual gnetophyte species living for up to 2000 years, found in deserts of Namibia and Angola.

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    Ephedra

    A genus of gnetophytes found in dry areas of North America, with small, scale-like leaves.

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    Ephedrine

    A compound from Ephedra leaves, used as a decongestant in medicine.

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    Dichotomous Venation

    A branching pattern of veins in a leaf.

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    Vessel Elements

    Specialized cells in xylem (plant water transport tissue).

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    Monocot

    A type of flowering plant characterized by a single cotyledon (seed leaf), parallel leaf veins, scattered vascular bundles, and fibrous root systems.

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    Eudicot

    A type of flowering plant that has two cotyledons, network-like leaf veins, vascular bundles arranged in a ring, and a taproot system.

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    Cotyledon

    The first leaf or leaves that emerge from a seed.

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    Parallel veins

    Leaf veins that run parallel to each other, characteristic of monocots.

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    Network veins

    Leaf veins that branch and interconnect, forming a network, characteristic of eudicots.

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    Adventitious roots

    Roots that arise from the stem or leaves, common in monocots.

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    Taproot

    A main root that grows straight down, with smaller lateral roots branching off, typical of eudicots.

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    Pollination

    The transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another.

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    Coevolution of herbivores and plants

    The process where herbivores and plants evolve together in response to each other, with plants developing defenses against herbivores and herbivores evolving ways to overcome those defenses.

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    Plant defenses against herbivores

    Strategies used by plants to discourage herbivores from consuming them, such as producing toxins, developing spines or thorns, or growing tough bark.

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    Mutualistic relationship between plants and herbivores

    A relationship where both plants and herbivores benefit, such as when herbivores eat fruits and help disperse the plant's seeds.

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    How do plants attract pollinators?

    Plants use various adaptations, such as bright colors, sweet nectar, strong scents, and specific flower shapes, to attract pollinators.

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    Pollination specificity

    The adaptation of plants to attract specific pollinators based on their characteristics, such as color vision, sense of smell, and feeding habits.

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    Nectar

    A sugary liquid produced by plants to attract pollinators.

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    Ultraviolet reflectance patterns

    Patterns visible in ultraviolet light that help pollinators, like bees, locate the center of a flower.

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    What is the importance of seed plants?

    Seed plants are a vital food source for humans, providing essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They are the foundation of many diets, especially in societies that rely heavily on vegetarian fare.

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    How have seed plants impacted human civilization?

    The agricultural revolution marked a transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to more settled agricultural communities, made possible by the cultivation of seed plants. This transition led to the development of many important crops.

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    What are some medicinal uses of plants?

    Many plant-derived substances and synthetic drugs are created from secondary metabolites found in plants. Some examples include chaulmoogra oil for treating leprosy and ephedrine for decongestant purposes.

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    What are secondary metabolites?

    Secondary metabolites are compounds produced by plants that are not essential for their basic survival but can be useful for protecting them from insects, fungi, and other stressors. They can also have medicinal properties for humans.

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    How can the same plant extract have different effects?

    Concentrations are key - a plant extract can be therapeutic at low doses, addictive at higher doses, and even fatal at very high concentrations.

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    What is colony collapse disorder?

    Colony collapse disorder is a phenomenon where honeybees, which are important pollinators, disappear from their hives. This can have devastating consequences for agriculture because it can lead to a decrease in pollination

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    What are some consequences of disrupting pollination?

    The disappearance of pollinators, such as bees, can devastate agricultural industries that depend on pollination. This is because pollinated crops rely on these insects for reproduction and survival. It can lead to reduced yields and even crop failures.

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    Why are some crops more dominant than others?

    A limited number of crops (e.g., rice, wheat, potatoes) dominate the agricultural landscape, largely due to their high yields, efficient cultivation, and nutritional value. These crops are often a result of selective breeding and have been historically developed to meet human needs.

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    Study Notes

    Seed Plants: Gymnosperms

    • Gymnosperms produce seeds, which are not enclosed in fruits
    • They have other characteristics, including naked seeds, separate male and female gametes, and wind pollination.
    • Tracheids transport water and solutes in their vascular system.
    • There are 4 modern groups of gymnosperms
    • Conifers are dominant gymnosperms, with needle or scale-like leaves to limit water loss, which are common for cold/arid or high-altitude environments.
    • Examples include pines, spruces, firs, cedars, sequoias, and yews.
    • Cycads resemble palm trees but have large cones. They are pollinated by beetles rather than wind.
    • Ginkgophytes have fan-shaped leaves that turn yellow in autumn.
    • Gnetophytes are similar to angiosperms, with vessel elements in their xylem.

    Life Cycle of a Conifer

    • Pine trees are heterosporous, producing male microspores and female megaspores.
    • Male cones release pollen grains, containing generative and pollen tube cells.
    • Pollen tube grows towards ovules in female cones. Generative cell divides into two sperm.
    • One sperm fertilizes the egg, forming a diploid zygote.
    • The other sperm is involved in the endosperm formation.
    • Seed development takes several years (up to two).

    Diversity of Gymnosperms

    • Gymnosperms have four major divisions: Coniferophyta, Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, and Gnetophyta.
    • Conifers are the dominant group, with diverse species like pines, spruces, firs.
    • Cycads are similar to palms, with large compound leaves and large cones.
    • Ginkgophytes are represented by Ginkgo biloba with fan-shaped leaves.
    • Gnetophytes are similar to angiosperms.

    Seed Plants: Angiosperms

    • Angiosperms are flowering plants, and are divided into monocots and eudicots.
    • Flowers consist of sepals, petals, pistils, and stamens.
    • Fruits are derived from the thickened ovary wall, and contain seeds.
    • Fruits are agents of seed dispersal (wind, water, animals).

    Diversity of Angiosperms

    • Angiosperms are classified in the division Anthophyta.
    • Two major groups are monocots (grasses, lilies) and eudicots (many other species).
    • Basal angiosperms include Magnoliidae (magnolias), Laurales (laurels), Nymphaeales (water lilies), and Piperales (pepper family).
    • Monocots feature a single cotyledon, parallel leaf veins, scattered vascular tissue, and fibrous root systems.
    • Eudicots include two cotyledons, net-like leaf veins, a ring of vascular tissue, and a taproot system.

    The Role of Seed Plants

    • Seed plants are essential for terrestrial ecosystems.
    • They stabilize soils, cycle carbon, moderate climate, and provide food for herbivores, therefore affecting the entire food chain.

    Plant Part Structure and Function

    • Flowers are modified leaves to attract pollinators. Sepals and petals are protective coverings.
    • Pistils are female parts (stigma, style, and ovary).
    • Stamens are male parts (filament and anther).
    • Fruits develop from the ovary after fertilization, and protect and disperse seeds.

    Pollination and Fertilization

    • Fertilization occurs through the transfer of pollen from male gametophyte to the female gametophyte.
    • Process is unique among angiosperms involving two sperm in fertilization, creating the embryo and endosperm (food supply for the developing embryo).

    Plant Uses and Medicinal Applications

    • Seed plants are a vital source of food.
    • Plant parts also have many medicinal uses, and some chemical compounds are used to create medicines.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the fascinating world of gymnosperms, seed plants whose seeds are not enclosed in fruits. Learn about their unique characteristics, including their vascular system, reproductive structures, and the four modern groups such as conifers and cycads. Test your knowledge on their life cycles and adaptations to various environments.

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