Gymnosperms

Question 1

What are some characteristics of Gymnosperms?

Answer 1

Classified as vascular, seed producing land plants.
Photoautotrophic, eukaryotic and multicellular.
Produce naked seeds and have needles for photosynthesis.

Question 2

What two types of cones do Gymnosperms produce?

Answer 2

Male pollen cones - contains pollen (male gametophyte)

Female ovulate cones - produces the female gametophyte (with eggs)

Question 3

What are both male and female cones made of?

Answer 3

Scales

Question 4

What do the Male scales contain and what process do they go through?

Answer 4

Scales contain Microsporangia (2N)

Each cell of the microsporangia undergoes meiosis to produce 4 microspores (N) They will grow into a pollen grain.

Question 5

What do Female cones contain and what process do they go through?

Answer 5

Each scale contains 2 Megasporangia (2N)
Each cell in the Megasporangia undergoes meiosis to produce 4 cells. Only 1 survives, it is a Megaspore (N)

Question 6

What process do Megaspores go through and what do they produce?

Answer 6

Undergoes mitosis to produce Female gametophyte.
Gametophyte produces Archegonia (N) which contains 1 egg (N) each.

Question 7

What is Pollination in Gymnosperms?

Answer 7

An act of transferring pollen grains from the pollen cone to ovulate cone.

Question 8

How do pollen grains help in pollination?

Answer 8

With its sperm nucleus, pollen grains are carried by the wind with the aid of air sacs or air bladders to the ovulate cone.
Pollen grains stick to the base of the ovules on the ovulate cone.

Question 9

When does Fertilization occur in Gymnosperms?

Answer 9

When the sperm nucleus (N) combines with the egg nucleus (N) to form a zygote (2N).
The zygote will then develop into an embryo by Mitosis.

Question 10

What do the pollen grains do in Fertilization?

Answer 10

The pollen grains germinates, forming a pollen tube that works its way through the Megasporangium. It arrives at the female gametophyte as the latter matures its archegonia.

Question 11

What does the Pollen tube do?

Answer 11

Discharges its sperm nuclei into the archegonia.

Question 12

What does the Female gametophyte become?

Answer 12

Becomes stored food, endosperm (N), which will feed the sporophyte after germination.

Question 13

What generation are dominant and what generation is microscopic?

Answer 13

Sporophyte (2N) generation is dominant.
Gametophyte (N) generation is microscopic

Question 14

What does Phloem do in Gymnosperms?

Answer 14

Transports sugars from photosynthesis, mixed with h2o (‘cell sap’) in the needles to the rest of the plant.

At maturity these are living cells.

Question 15

What does Xylem do in Gymnosperms?

Answer 15

Transports h2o and minerals from roots to needles and stems.

Dead at maturity, known as soft wood.

Question 16

What are the specialized Xylem cells?

Answer 16

Tracheids

Question 17

What are Trachieds and what do they function as?

Answer 17

Small and narrow non-living cells that contain lignin in their cell walls.

They function in h2o transport but also add extra support

Question 18

What are Meristems in Gymsnoperm?

Answer 18

The growing region of conifers (roots and branches) which grow in length, height and width.

There are 2 types of meristems.

Question 19

What are the 2 types of Meristems?

Answer 19

Apical - creates primary growth (increase in height and length at the tips of roots and stems)

Lateral - creates secondary growth (increases in diameter in roots and stems.)

Question 20

How do needles help with life on land?

Answer 20

reduce surface area of leaf and minimizes water loss due to evaporation.
their waxy cuticle helps prevent evaporation through outer layer of the needle.

Question 21

What are Sunken stomatal pores?

Answer 21

allows pine needles to remain alive through rough environmental conditions and times where water isn’t as accessible.

Question 22

What are Resin canals?

Answer 22

Small open areas in the cortex.

Secrete a turpentine substance to any insect thats tries to use the needle for protection.

Question 23

What is the Ecological importance to Gymnosperms?

Answer 23

Are Primary Producers that provide food for animals.

Create shelter for wildlife.

Extensive roots hold down soil and prevent erosion by absorbing h2o

Question 24

How is Carbon sink important in Gymnosperms

Answer 24

Takes in co2 during photosynthesis and utilizes it for cellular respiration.
Carbon is held in until the plant dies.
reduces amount of greenhouse gases in environment.

Question 25

How is photosynthesis important in Gymnosperms?

Answer 25

Maintains levels of O2 in the biosphere.

The cycling of gases through plant filters the air making it cleaner and fresher.

Question 26

What is Transpiration and how does it help in Gymnosperms?

Answer 26

The evaporation of water from plant leaves.

Plants use this to draw water up from the roots like a straw.

Question 27

What are