Intro to Plants Plant Characteristics Kingdom Plantae Multicellular, eukaryotic Producers by photosynthesis Cuticles - waxy layer that prevents drying out Cell Walls - rigid cell walls made of cellulose to keep plant upright Plant Reproduction 2-Stage Cycle: Alternation of Generations Stage 1: Sporophyte stage: sporophyte makes spores, which grow into gametophytes Stage 2: Gametophyte Stage: males make sperm; females make eggs. Sperm fertilizes egg which grows into a sporophyte Process repeats over and over! Plant Classification Plant Kingdom Nonvascular Vascular Plants Plants Bryophytes Seedless Vascular Gymnosperms Angiosperms Ex: Moss Ex. Fern “Cone Bearers” Flowering Plants Nonvascular Plants A.k.a “Bryophytes” Don’t have specialized tissues to move water and nutrients through the plant (no circulatory system!) Depend on diffusion to move nutrients Rhizoid - root-like structure that holds bryophytes in place (they don’t have real roots!) Example: moss Vascular Plants Includes: Seedless Vascular Plants (ferns) Gymnosperms Angiosperms Has specialized tissues to move water and nutrients through the plant (roots!) Vascular Tissue Transports water and nutrients to different parts of the plant Vascular tissue is made up of two main transport systems: Xylem – moves water up Phloem – moves nutrients down Both can move fluids through the plant, even against the force of gravity Transport Systems Xylem: Carries water UPWARD from the roots to every part of the plant Phloem: Nutrients move from the photosynthetic parts (ie. leaves) DOWNWARD to the other parts of the plant Seedless Vascular Plants The first plants to have vascular tissues (root systems) Rhizome - underground stem from which leaves and roots grow Have roots, stems, & leaves Example: ferns Why is having vascular tissue an advantage over the bryophytes? Gymnosperms A.k.a. “Cone Bearers” Do not produce flowers Most ancient surviving seed plants Gymnosperms reproduce with seeds that are exposed (Gymnosperm means “naked seed”) Examples: pine & spruce trees Angiosperms Flowering Plants Fruit come from these plants Example: tulips, peas, lettuce.