Question

Lab 9: Kingdom Plantae (12 Points) Introduction Plants are defined as multicellular eukaryotes with cell walls made of cellulose. Nearly all of them contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis. Being photoautotrophs, plants can make all their own organic molecules. All they need is energy from light, carbon from carbon dioxide, water, and various elements (like N, P, K, Ca, and Mg). Water can be absorbed into a plant by osmosis, but it can only travel a few cells away from a source. In order to transport water long distances, some groups of plants have specialized tissues (vascular tissue). Plants without vascular tissues must live in wet areas and cannot grow very tall. Consult the plant lecture, slides, and links on Canvas for more information on defining features of plants and groups of plants. Part 1: Comparing major groups of plants Within the plant kingdom, biologists separate plants into four major groups: bryophytes (mosses and llverworts), pteridophytes (ferns), gymnosperms (conifers), and anglosperms (flowering plants). The separations are primarily based on anatomical structures, particularly the ones they use to transport water in their bodies, and on the different ways in which plants reproduce sexually. **What to submit for this activity** Use the information from lectures, the textbook, and any other sources of your choice to fill out the table comparing the four major groups of plants. Submit your completed table as part of what you upload to the Canvas lab assignment for this week. (5 Points) What are one or more examples? Do they have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)? Which part of the life cycle/generation is more dominant in structure? (Gametophyte or Sporophyte?) What other characteristics can help you identify this group? (List at least 2 or more) Mosses and liverworts (Bryophytes) Ferns and relatives (Pteridophytes) Conifers (Gymnosperms) Flowering plants (Angiosperms)​

Answer 1

Mosses and liverworts (Bryophytes):

- Example: Mosses (e.g., Sphagnum moss) and liverworts (e.g., Marchantia)

- Vascular tissue: No true vascular tissue (lack xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Gametophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Lack of true roots, stems, and leaves; instead, they have rhizoids.

2. Reproduce via spores and require water for fertilization.

Ferns and relatives (Pteridophytes):

- Example: Ferns (e.g., Polypodium) and horsetails (e.g., Equisetum)

- Vascular tissue: Have true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Sporophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Reproduce via spores produced in structures called sporangia.

2. Exhibit well-developed leaves called fronds and often have underground stems (rhizomes).

Conifers (Gymnosperms):

- Example: Conifers such as pine trees (e.g., Pinus) and spruces (e.g., Picea)

- Vascular tissue: Have true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Sporophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Produce seeds in cones.

2. Typically have needle-like or scale-like leaves and are often evergreen.

Flowering plants (Angiosperms):

- Example: Flowering plants include roses (e.g., Rosa), sunflowers (e.g., Helianthus), and oak trees (e.g., Quercus)

- Vascular tissue: Have true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Sporophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Produce flowers for sexual reproduction.

2. Seeds are enclosed within fruits.

3. Have a wide range of forms, from small herbs to large trees.

Please note that the examples provided are just a few representatives of each plant group, and there are many more species within each group.Mosses and liverworts (Bryophytes):

- Example: Mosses (e.g., Sphagnum moss) and liverworts (e.g., Marchantia)

- Vascular tissue: No true vascular tissue (lack xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Gametophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Lack of true roots, stems, and leaves; instead, they have rhizoids.

2. Reproduce via spores and require water for fertilization.

Ferns and relatives (Pteridophytes):

- Example: Ferns (e.g., Polypodium) and horsetails (e.g., Equisetum)

- Vascular tissue: Have true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Sporophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Reproduce via spores produced in structures called sporangia.

2. Exhibit well-developed leaves called fronds and often have underground stems (rhizomes).

Conifers (Gymnosperms):

- Example: Conifers such as pine trees (e.g., Pinus) and spruces (e.g., Picea)

- Vascular tissue: Have true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Sporophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Produce seeds in cones.

2. Typically have needle-like or scale-like leaves and are often evergreen.

Flowering plants (Angiosperms):

- Example: Flowering plants include roses (e.g., Rosa), sunflowers (e.g., Helianthus), and oak trees (e.g., Quercus)

- Vascular tissue: Have true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- Dominant structure: Sporophyte generation is more dominant in structure

- Other characteristics:

1. Produce flowers for sexual reproduction.

2. Seeds are enclosed within fruits.

3. Have a wide range of forms, from small herbs to large trees.

Please note that the examples provided are just a few representatives of each plant group, and there are many more species within each group.