Seed Plants: Gymnosperms Overview

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

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

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

Spores that develop into female gametophytes, which produce eggs.

Spores that develop into male gametophytes, which produce sperm.

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

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

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

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

The sticky tip of the carpel that receives pollen grains.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A branching pattern of veins in a leaf.

Specialized cells in xylem (plant water transport tissue).

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

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

The first leaf or leaves that emerge from a seed.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

A sugary liquid produced by plants to attract pollinators.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.