Plants exam review

Question 1

What are the main characteristics that plants share?

Answer 1

Photosynthesis: Most plants have chlorophyll and can produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Cell Walls: Plant cells have rigid cell walls made of cellulose.
Multicellular: Plants are multicellular organisms with complex structures.
Life Cycle: Alternation of generations, involving a multicellular haploid gametophyte and a multicellular diploid sporophyte.
Growth: Continuous growth at meristems (regions of actively dividing cells).

Question 1

Distinguish between vascular and nonvascular plants.

Answer 1

Vascular Plants:
Have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water, nutrients, and food.
Include ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
Typically larger and can grow in a variety of habitats.

Nonvascular Plants:
Lack specialized vascular tissues.
Include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.
Typically smaller and often found in moist environments.

Question 2

Distinguish between xylem and phloem tissue.

Answer 2

Xylem:
Transports water and dissolved minerals from roots to the rest of the plant.
Composed of vessel elements and tracheids.
Provides structural support.
Phloem:
Transports organic nutrients (mainly sugars) from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Composed of sieve tube elements and companion cells.
Lacks structural support compared to xylem.

Question 3

Distinguish between angiosperm and gymnosperm.

Answer 3

Angiosperm:
Seed plants with flowers and fruits.
Seeds are enclosed within a fruit.
Broad range of habitats and diverse in form.
Gymnosperm:
Seed plants with “naked” seeds not enclosed in fruits.
Typically have cones instead of flowers.
Mostly woody plants like conifers.

Question 4

Distinguish stem structures between monocots and dicots.

Answer 4

Monocots:
One cotyledon (seed leaf).
Vascular bundles scattered throughout the stem.
Parallel leaf venation.
Floral parts typically in multiples of three.
Dicots:
Two cotyledons (seed leaves).
Vascular bundles arranged in a ring within the stem.
Net-like leaf venation.
Floral parts typically in multiples of four or five.

Question 5

Distinguish between seed and non seed plants.

Answer 5

Seed Plants:
Reproduce through seeds.
Include gymnosperms and angiosperms.
Seeds provide protection and nutrients for the developing embryo, allowing for greater dispersal and survival in diverse environments.
Non-Seed Plants:
Reproduce through spores.
Include mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and ferns.
Spores are typically less protected than seeds and often require moist environments for successful reproduction.