1. survey of the plant kingdom

Question 1

What is a phycologist?

Answer 1

scientist who specializes in the study of phycology, which is the branch of biology that focuses on algae. Phycologists research various aspects of algae, including their taxonomy, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, and their role in ecosystems.

Question 2

Why is phytoplankton important?

Answer 2

They provide essential ecosystem services, including oxygen production, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and supporting marine food webs

Question 3

How is algae used in everyday life? Examples?

Answer 3

algae are versatile organisms with numerous applications in everyday life, ranging from food and nutrition to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, agriculture, and environmental management. Their diverse uses highlight the importance of algae in various industries and their potential for sustainable practices.

Question 4

What type of plants are Bryophytes?

Answer 4

• Mosses
• Liverworts
• Hornworts

Question 5

structure of bryophytes

Answer 5

do not possess vascular tissues (xylem and phloem). As a result, they cannot transport water and nutrients efficiently over long distances
- they absorb water and nutrients directly through their cell walls and surfaces.

Question 6

reproduction of bryophytes

Answer 6

reproduce through spores
sexual: Male gametophytes produce antheridia, which release sperm, while female gametophytes produce archegonia, which house the eggs
Asexual: fragmentation, where parts of the plant can grow into new individuals. lens-shaped structures called gemmae in cup-like structures

Question 7

Importance of sphagnum moss

Answer 7

carbon sink
water retention
soil amendment
erosion control
water purification

Question 8

What is Selaginella used for?

Answer 8

erosion control
soil improvement
bioindicators

Question 9

examples of gymnosperm

Answer 9

-Seed producing- naked seed
-Conifers, pine (Pinus), spruce (Picea), red wood (sequoia)
-Cycads (Cyadophyta)

Question 10

How are pines characterized?

Answer 10

-Fascicles- clusters of pine needles, helps conserve water
-Cones- way of reproduction
-Woody trunks to protect against fires and pest
-Resin production to defend against insects and infestations

Question 11

determinate growth

Answer 11

-growth occurs up to a specific point, after which it ceases
-annuals like tomatoes
-favored for harvesting because they mature and ripen at the same time, making them easier to manage.

Question 12

intermediate growth

Answer 12

-Growth that continues indefinitely, as long as conditions remain favorable, with no set endpoint.
-Vines, roots/shoots, trees
-produce fruits or flowers gradually over the growing season, which can be beneficial for extended harvest periods.

Question 13

What are pignoli? (Pine nuts)

Answer 13

-edible seeds harvested from the cones of certain species of pine trees
-stone pine
-used to make pesto
-rich in fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals

Question 14

where does gin come from

Answer 14

-juniper berries
-originated in the Netherlands as genever and was later adapted and refined in England

Question 15

What is a Cycad? How pollinated?

Answer 15

-existed for over 250 million years, dating back to the Permian period, and have changed very little since the age of dinosaurs
-mistaken for palms or ferns
-rely on insect pollination rather than wind pollination, which is more common in other gymnosperms like pines and firs
-mutualistic relationship with insects

Question 16

Why is Gingko a living fossil?

Answer 16

-it has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years and has outlived many other species that went extinct
-270 million years, to the Permian period, long before the age of dinosaurs.
-represents a lineage with no close living relatives

Question 17

monocots

Answer 17

-Have one cotyledon (seed leaf)
-leaves have parallel venation, meaning the veins run parallel to each other along the length of the leaf.
-Multiples of 3s
-Vascular bundles scattered
-Fibrous root system
-No secondary growth
-Grasses(wheat, corn, rice), palms, orchids, lilies

Question 18

dicots

Answer 18

-two cotyledons
-reticulate (net-like) venation, where the veins form a branching network.
-Multiples of 4 or 5
-Vascular bundles in a ring
-Taproot system
-Secondary growth
-Sunflowers, roses, maple/oak, tomatoes

Question 19

haploid

Answer 19

-one set of chromosomes
-gametophyte
-produce gametes through mitosis

Question 20

diploid

Answer 20

-two sets of chromosomes (one set from each parent).
-Sporophyte
-produce spores through meiosis