Final answer:
The Plant Kingdom is characterized by organisms with chloroplasts for photosynthesis, a cellulose cell wall, and the ability to reproduce sexually or via spores. A basic cladogram would start with nonvascular plants, leading to vascular seedless plants, then to seed plants, dividing into gymnosperms and angiosperms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of the Plant Kingdom and Cladogram Outline
All plants within the Plant Kingdom share three characteristics: the presence of chloroplasts for photosynthesis, the existence of a cell wall, often composed of cellulose, and the ability to reproduce sexually, though some can also reproduce via spores. The cell wall provides structural support and protection, while chloroplasts are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy. The main difference between a sporophyte and a gametophyte is their ploidy level: sporophytes are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes, and produce spores, while gametophytes are haploid with one set of chromosomes, and produce gametes.
Ferns, as plants, possess chloroplasts, cell walls, and conduct sexual reproduction. Unlike plants, mushrooms are not capable of photosynthesis, hence are not classified under the Plant Kingdom. They are considered fungi and gain energy by decomposing organic material.
The organelle crucial for photosynthesis is the chloroplast. Producers and autotrophs are related in that both can create their own food from simple substances - autotrophs through photosynthesis in plants and other processes in different organisms.
Based on these characteristics, a basic cladogram for the plant kingdom would branch out with the most basic plants, such as nonvascular plants like mosses, that do not have vascular tissue. The cladogram would then show a split with the evolution of vascular tissue, leading to seedless vascular plants like ferns. Next, the evolution of seeds would mark another divergence, leading to gymnosperms and further to angiosperms, which are flowering plants.