Plant Diversity II: Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants.
Post on 22-Dec-2015
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Overview of seed plant evolution
There were three (3) major reproductive adaptations in the evolution of seed plants.
1) Reduction of gametophyte (Gametophytes of seed plants are microscopic, so they can exist within the sporophyte).
2) Seeds became an important means of dispersal.
3) Pollen (Sperm cells) eliminated the liquid-water requirement for fertilization.
1) Reduction of the gametophyte continued with the evolution of seed plants.
In seed plants, the very small female (1N) gametophyte develops from spores retained in the sporangia of the (2N) sporophyte. Why??
Delicate female gametophytes are protected from environmental stress.
Embryos that are produced are also protected from stress.
2) Seeds became an important means of dispersal. Seeds are resistant to environmental stress, and are multi-cellular complex structures that consist of a sporophyte embryo, a food supply, and a protective coat. The embryo develops from the fertilized egg (derived from a spore) retained within the sporangium.
The sperm (derived from a spore) is carried (produced by) a pollen grain released from a sporangium.
All seed plants are heterosporous.
Female spores give rise to female gametes; male spores give rise to male gametes. The megasporangia produce megaspores (female) and the microsporangia produce microspores (male). The megasporangium is enveloped by layers of tissue called integuments. The whole structure (integuments + megasporangium) is called the ovule.
3) Pollen (with sperm cells) eliminated the liquid-water requirement for fertilization. Pollen travels by air or on animals. It eliminates the need for water to be present during fertilization.
Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms are vascular plants that bear naked seeds – seeds not enclosed in specialized chambers.
Mesozoic era was the age of gymnosperms
Gymnosperms were the most common plants during the Mesozoic era (the age of dinosaurs). Four phyla of extant gymnosperms
– Phylum Ginkgophyta: e.g., Ginkgo biloba.– Phylum Cycadophyta: e.g., cycads.– Phylum Gnetophyta: e.g., ephedra– Phylum Coniferophyta: e.g., pines, firs, spruces
Life cycle of a pine demonstrates the key reproductive adaptations of seed plants 1. The tree is the sporophyte. 2. Female gametophyte develops within the sporangium. 3. Pollen cone has microsporangium that develops into pollen (male gametophyte). 4. After fertilization, the embryo develops and is surrounded by food reserves and a seed coat. 5. Embryo grows to produce a new sporophyte.
Angiosperms are flowering plants that form seeds inside a protective chamber called an ovary.
Examples:
Monocots: Orchids, lilies, grasses, palms, bamboo
(Eu)dicots: Daisies, maples, snapdragon, pea, oaks
Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Systematists are identifying angiosperm clades.
Originally, only: Monocots are angiosperms that possess one embryonic seed leaf (cotyledon). Dicots are angiosperms that possess two embryonic seed leaves (cotyledons). However, angiosperms have recently been divided into new taxonomic groups.
The flower is the defining reproductive adaptation of angiosperms Flowers are made up of four types of modified leaves sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. a. Stamens are the male reproductive organs that produce microspores. b. Carpels are female reproductive organs that produce megaspores.
A fruit is a mature ovary Protect dormant seeds. Fruit aids in seed dispersal. - Wind dispersal - Attachment and transportation - Consumption – berries contain seeds to be
passed in feces
Life cycle of an angiosperm Mature plant is the sporophyte Some plants easily self-pollinate, but most have mechanisms to ensure cross-pollination. Male gametophytes reach female gametophytes by producing a pollen tube.
Next slide: The life cycle of an angiosperm.
Angiosperms dominated the earth at the end of the Mesozoic era Radiation of angiosperms represents the transition from Mesozoic to Cenozoic Angiosperms and animals have affected one another’s evolution Coevolution is the mutual influence on the evolution of two different species interacting with each other and reciprocally influencing each other’s adaptations. e.g., Pollinator-plant relationships
Plants and Human Welfare
Agriculture is almost totally dependent on angiosperms. Plant diversity is a non-renewable resource. Many medicines are obtained from plant materials.
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