BIO 102 Angiosperm and Gymnosperms, Mrs Hafsa Salihu
BIO 102 Angiosperm and Gymnosperms, Mrs Hafsa Salihu
BIO 102 Angiosperm and Gymnosperms, Mrs Hafsa Salihu
Most of the plants we see around us are spermatophytes or seed plants, varying in size
from trees and shrubs to small flowering plants like dandelions and grasses. They
begin their life cycle as seeds produced either inside cones as in fir trees and pines, or
inside flowers.
Seeded plants, or spermatophytes, are a major group within the plant kingdom that
reproduce through seeds. They are characterized by the presence of seeds, which
provide protection and nourishment to the developing embryo, allowing for more
efficient reproduction and dispersal compared to non-seeded plants
The term higher plants is used for the group of plants that belong to the Division
Spermatophyta.
These are plants characterized by the production of seeds.
The spermatophytes are the most highly developed in the plant kingdom. They are
also the most highly evolved of all plants.
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SUB DIVISION OF SPERMATOPHYTA
Two main groups of plants in the Division Spermatophyta are classed as higher plants.
These are: Gymnosperms which belong to the Sub – division Gymnosperma and the
Angiosperms which belong to the Sub- division Angiosperma.
GYMNOSPERM
Gymnosperms: These are seed-producing plants that do not form flowers or fruits. The seeds
are often exposed on cones or other structures.
The name Gymnosperm is derived from two Greek words:-“gymnos” which means “naked”
and “sperma” which means “seed”.
The name gymnosperm can therefore be interpreted to mean seed-bearing plants which
produce their seeds in the naked form, that is, without being enclosed within pericarps.
Classification Of Gymnosperm
Gymnosperms are primarily classified into four main groups: Coniferophyta, Cycadophyta,
Ginkgophyta and Gnetophyta.
4. Coniferophyta (Conifers): Examples: - Pine (Pinus spp.) - Spruce (Picea spp.) - Cedar
(Cedrus spp.)
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Characteristics of Gymnosperms
1. Seeds are typically naked, meaning they are not enclosed in an ovary.
2. Leaves are often needle-like or scale-like, adapted to conserve water.
3. Most gymnosperms are evergreen, retaining foliage year-round.
4. They reproduce via cones: male cones produce pollen, while female cones develop
seeds.
Importance of Gymnosperm
-Ecological Importance: Conifers play a vital role in forest ecosystems, providing habitats
and stabilizing soils.
Economic Importance: Source of timber, resins, and compounds used in the pharmaceutical
industry.
Basically, gymnosperms are plants in which the ovules are not enclosed within the ovary
wall, unlike the angiosperms. It remains exposed before and after fertilisation and before
developing into a seed. The stem of gymnosperms can be branched or unbranched. The thick
cuticle, needle-like leaves, and sunken stomata reduce the rate of water loss in these plants.
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SUB DIVISION ANGIOSPERMS
Angiosperms
These are flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within a fruit. They are the
most diverse group of plants in terms of species and form.
Angiosperms are vascular plants with stems, roots, and leaves. The seeds of the
angiosperm are found in a flower.
These make up the majority of all plants on earth. The seeds develop inside the plant
organs and form fruit. Hence, they are also known as flowering plants.
Angiosperms are the most advanced and beneficial group of plants. They can grow in
various habitats as trees, herbs, shrubs, and bushes.
Classification OF ANGIOSPERRM
Angiosperms are primarily divided into two main groups based on their seed structure and
flower type:
Variations between monocots and dicots begin from the seed, which is the start of a plant‟s
life cycle. Cotyledon refers to the „first seed leaf‟, present in the embryo. Known as cotyledon
A cotyledon is the first leaf or one of the first leaves developed by the embryo of a seed plant
that is usually folded within the seed until germination and serves as a storehouse of food.
If it is a single seed leaf, then it is categorised as monocots and if it is a pair of leaves then it
is categorised as dicots.
MONOCOTYLEDON
Monocotyledons commonly referred to as monocots are grass and grass-like flowering plants.
few examples of monocotyledons are garlic, onions, wheat, corn and grass, etc.g., wheat,
maize, rye, oats, rice, sorghum, bamboo and sugarcane
Monocot plants are marked by seeds with a single cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves, scattered
vascular bundles in the stem, the absence of a typical cambium, and an adventitious root
system. Flower parts typically come in multiples of three, and the pollen grains
characteristically feature a single aperture (or furrow).
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They are economically the most important of all flowering plants because of their nutritious
grains and soil-forming function, and they have the most-widespread distribution and the
largest number of individuals. Grasses provide forage for grazing animals, shelter for
wildlife, construction materials, furniture, utensils, and food for humans. Some species are
grown as garden ornamentals, cultivated as turf for lawns and recreational areas, or used as
cover plants for erosion control. Most grasses have round stems that are hollow between the
joints, bladelike leaves, and extensively branching fibrous root systems.
Importance of monocotyledon
*Environmental Importance:*
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DICOTYLEDON
Dicotyledon or dicots are vascular plants that reproduce by the use of flowers whose seeds
have two cotyledons or seed leaves.
Few examples of dicots are beans, cauliflower, apples and pear, etc
Economic Importance:
1. Food: Beans, Peas, Lentils, Tomatoes, Potatoes, and many other edible crops.
2. Timber: Oak, Maple, Mahogany, Teak, and other valuable wood-producing trees.
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