Seed Plants Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary use of juniper berries?

They are used as a spice and in alcoholic drinks. (correct)

They are mainly consumed as fruits.

They are used for wood construction.

They are primarily used for decorative purposes.

Which of the following species is considered the tallest tree in the world?

Coastal redwood (correct)

European larch

Northern white-cedar

Giant sequoia

Which tree has needles that are dark green and grow in bundles of two, measuring 10-15 cm long?

Norway spruce

Blue spruce

Scots pine

Austrian pine (correct)

What is a unique characteristic of the European silver-fir's cones?

They are upright and cylindrical. Signup and view all the answers

Which family do Dwarf mountain-pine and Scots pine belong to?

The Pine family Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic identifies the Yew family of plants?

Flattened evergreen leaves Signup and view all the answers

Which tree species has poisonous seeds and is generally considered barely toxic?

Yew Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Cedar-of-Lebanon native to?

Eastern Mediterranean basin Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary advantage that seeds have over spores?

Seeds can remain dormant for extended periods. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a gymnosperm?

Seeds are naked and found on woody cones. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the life cycle of gymnosperms?

The male gametophyte is represented by pollen grains. Signup and view all the answers

What happens after fertilization in gymnosperms?

The zygote divides to form a seed. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true for the gymnosperm group known as cycads?

They are dioecious and can grow up to 20 meters high. Signup and view all the answers

What unique characteristic does the Ginkgo biloba plant possess?

It is the only known species of its kind still alive. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of conifers within the Pinales order?

Their leaves are needlelike or scaly. Signup and view all the answers

How do gymnosperms primarily achieve pollination?

Via wind to carry pollen grains to female cones. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about seeds is NOT accurate?

Seeds must germinate in contact with water. Signup and view all the answers

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Seed Plants

Seed plants have seeds, reduced gametophytes (ovules and pollen), and create flowers (or cones) and fruits.

Advantages of Seeds over Spores

Seeds are multicellular, consisting of an embryo and food supply.
Seeds are protected by a seed coat, allowing dormancy for days, months, or even years.
Seeds can be dispersed by wind or animals over long distances.
Seeds germinate more easily than spores.
Spores are single-celled and lack protection from harsh conditions, with shorter lifespans.
Spores require a wet environment to germinate.

Changes after Fertilization

The zygote divides and forms an embryo.
The ovule transforms into a seed.
The female cone develops into a woody cone.

Divisions of Seed Plants

Gymnosperms (naked seed plants)
Angiosperms (covered seed plants)

Gymnosperms

Two divisions: Gymnosperms (nahosemenné rastliny) and Angiosperms (krytosemenné rastliny).
Seeds are "naked," meaning they are on scales of woody cones (šišky).
Ovules are not protected by an ovary.

Gymnosperm Life Cycle

Sporophyte is the recognizable plant.
Separates male and female cones (strobili, šištice).
Male cones contain pollen grains.
Female cones create ovules.
Male gametophyte = pollen grain (contains sperm).
Female gametophyte = ovule (contains two egg cells).

Gymnosperm Pollination and Fertilization

Rely on wind for pollination.
The pollen grain lands on the female cone, forming a pollen tube for sperm cell travel to the egg cell.
Fertilization creates a diploid zygote; unlike angiosperms, double fertilization does not occur.

Gymnosperm Families

The cycad order (CYCADALES – CYKASY): palm-like, dioecious, up to 20 meters high. Queen Sago (cykas indický) seeds contain starch (sago) for use as flour.
The maidenhair-tree order (GINKGOALES – GINKÁ): only living ginkgo species, fan-shaped leaves, dioecious, oldest fossils date back 270 million years, used as a park tree, pharmaceutical purposes.
The pine order (PINALES – IHLIČINY): conifers, evergreen needle-like or scaly leaves, resin canals, monoecious, wind-pollinated. Includes cones, berries, and aril. Specific types include Scots pine, Austrian pine, dwarf mountain-pine, Norway spruce, blue spruce, European silver-fir, European Larch.

Specific Conifers

Information on different types of conifers, including their features (needle shape, cone shape, height, etc.), location, uses, etc. (e.g., Coastal redwood, Giant sequoia, Juniper, Cedar-of-Lebanon, Yew).

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Description

This quiz covers the essential characteristics of seed plants, including their advantages over spores. It explores the changes that occur after fertilization and the divisions of seed plants, specifically gymnosperms and angiosperms. Test your knowledge on these crucial topics in plant biology.