Gymnosperms are seed plants distinguished by their naked seeds, lacking the protective ovary of angiosperms. This group includes various species adapted to diverse climates, with specialized vascular tissues for nutrient transport. They evolved from seed ferns and were dominant in the Mesozoic era. The four divisions—cycads, ginkgo, conifers, and gnetales—showcase their wide morphological diversity.
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Gymnosperms are characterized by their unenclosed seeds, which are not protected by an ovary like in flowering plants
Xylem and Phloem
Gymnosperms have specialized tissues, xylem and phloem, for the transport of water and nutrients throughout the plant
Gymnosperms are considered higher vascular plants due to their ability to produce seeds, which sets them apart from non-seed vascular plants
The fundamental distinction between gymnosperms and angiosperms is the manner in which their seeds develop
Flowers and Fruits
Angiosperms are characterized by their flowers and fruits, which serve as reproductive structures and aid in seed dispersal
Cones and Sporophylls
Gymnosperms lack flowers and fruits, instead their seeds are borne naked on cones or sporophylls
Gymnosperms have a long and varied evolutionary history, with their earliest representatives being the now extinct seed ferns
Climatic changes led to the decline of many gymnosperm lineages, resulting in the relatively reduced diversity of extant gymnosperms
Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Gnetophyta
Gymnosperms are classified into four major divisions: cycads, ginkgo, conifers, and gnetales
The four major divisions of gymnosperms demonstrate a broad spectrum of morphological forms and ecological adaptations, reflecting their extensive evolutionary lineage and colonization of various habitats
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As ______ plants, gymnosperms have ______ and ______ to transport water and nutrients.
vascular
xylem
phloem
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Meaning of 'angiosperm' and 'gymnosperm'
'Angiosperm' means 'enclosed seed'; 'gymnosperm' means 'naked seed'.
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Seed dispersal mechanism in angiosperms
Angiosperms use fruits for seed dispersal.
