Topic 9 & 10 - Land & Seed Plants

Question 1

Briefly explain Alternation of Generations

Answer 1

• the alternation of haploid (n) and diploid (2n) multicellular body forms

Question 2

What are the events of evolution in land plants?

Answer 2

1. sporopollenin
2. cuticle, pores
3. embryophytes
4. alternation of generations
5. apical meristems
6. stomata
7. vascular tissue
   NOTE: #6 and 7 are derived traits, not all plants have

Question 3

Name some plant adaptations as they moved to life on land ( similar to the events of evolution )

Answer 3

> sporopollenin 
> cuticle & pores 
> stomata 
> embryophytes 
> vascular tissue 
> roots 
> true leaves

Question 4

What is transpiration?

Answer 4

• loss of water through the form of water vapor

Question 5

What is pollination?

Answer 5

• transfer of pollen to the part of the seed plant with the ovules
• non-seed plants require water (single-celled sperm)
• the entire male gametophyte is carried inside the pollen grain

Question 6

What is double fertilization?

Answer 6

• occurs when the pollen tube discharges two sperm into the female gametophyte within an ovule

Question 7

What is co-evolution?

Answer 7

• mutual evolutionary influence between two-species, they exert selective pressure on each other
• mutualistic relationships

Question 8

Define Sporopollenin

Answer 8

• a tough polymer
• in charophytes: protects zygote from drying
• in plants: walls of plant spores
• resistant to drying & physical stress

Question 9

Define Stomata

Answer 9

• pores in the epidermis of leaves and other photosynthetic organs

Question 10

Define Apical Meristems

Answer 10

• undifferentiated tissue from which new, differentiated cells arise
• simple in non-vascular plants and more complex in vascular plants

Question 11

Define Vascular Tissue

Answer 11

• contains xylem (dead cells) and phloem (living cells)

Question 12

Define Lignin

Answer 12

• complex strengthening polymer

- important in the formation of cell walls

Question 13

Define Cuticle

Answer 13

• waxy cuticles on the epidermis that are waterproofing and provide protection from microbial attack

Question 14

Define Mycorrhizae

Answer 14

• mutual symbiotic relationship between the fungus and a plant’s root system

Question 15

Define Seed

Answer 15

• embryo
• range in size (depends on the amount of gametophyte - derived food)
• tough coating so the tiny embryo is protected
• travel by air, water, and animals

Question 16

Define Endosperm

Answer 16

• tissue produced inside the seeds of most flowering plants following fertilization
• triploid

Question 17

Define Pollen

Answer 17

• pollen grains coated with sporopollenin
• ability to withstand drying, UV, and physical damage
• pollen is important since male gametophytes have to disperse to pollinate and then fertilize the ovule

Question 18

Define Sporophyte

Answer 18

• diploid multicellular stage in the plants’ life cycle

- develops from the zygote produced when a haploid egg cell is fertilized by a haploid sperm

Question 19

Define Gametophyte

Answer 19

• haploid multicellular organism that develops from a haploid spore that has one set of chromosomes
• sexual phase in the life cycle of a plant

Question 20

Define Flower and Fruit

Answer 20

flowers: contain stamens (microsporophylls) and carpels (megasporophylls)
fruit: mature ovary containing seeds, protects dormant seeds and aids in dispersal

Question 21

Benefits and Costs of plants living on land

Answer 21

benefits: sunlight, spacious, more CO2, less competition
costs: reproduction, support (staying upright), obtaining resources, and maintaining moisture, UV rays

Question 22

Why are coastal areas important for the evolution of terrestriality in land plants?

Answer 22

• provides a water medium to complete the life cycle of plants, for example, bryophytes

Question 23

Why is the evolution of plants more accurately described as an adaption to life “in the air” rather than “on land”?

Answer 23

since most of the plants parts are above the ground, there were more adaptions to the air environment and being able to withstand drying out and UV

Question 24

What are the characteristics of the first land plants?

Answer 24

• non-vascular
• short roots
• most likely mosses

Question 25

Know the General Plant Life Cycle

Answer 25

...remember to go over this...

Question 26

Functions of various parts of a plant

Answer 26

... too much to write on a flashcard! remember to review these...

Question 27

What is the difference in the life cycles from charophytes to land plants?

Answer 27

- alternation of generations is the huge difference, in land plants both haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte develop complex multicellular bodies - charophytes have hapolontic life cycles, in which only the gametophyte is multicellular

Question 28

How does delayed meiosis result in the alternation of generations?

Answer 28

?? unsure of the answer

Question 29

What are the evolutionary advantages of seeds?

Answer 29

- protective structure for an embryo - can remain dormant until sufficient conditions for the embryo to grow - decreases the plant's dependency on water for reproduction

Question 30

What is the advantage of double fertilization in angiosperms compared to the reproduction in conifers?

Answer 30

?? unsure of the answer