PP9 Biodiversity of Plants
PP9 Biodiversity of Plants
PP9 Biodiversity of Plants
GRADE 11 CAPS
STRUCTURED, CLEAR, PRACTICAL -
HELPING TEACHERS UNLOCK THE
POWER OF NCS
Biodiversity of Plants
SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION
Introduction to Plant Kingdom
The Bryophytes
The Pteridophytes
The Gymnosperms
The Angiosperms
Horsetail
fern
Whisk fern
THE PTERIDOPHYTES -
CHARACTERISTICS
These plants have vascular tissue.
They also have supporting tissue.
They therefore have true roots, stems and leaves.
The Pteridophytes are not thallus plants.
They reproduce using spores, they do not
produce seeds.
Spores are made and stored in spore bearing
capsules.
They do not have fruits.
THE PTERIDOPHYTES -
CHARACTERISTICS
They undergo both sexual and asexual
reproduction.
The sperms need to swim to reach the egg in the
female reproductive organ.
The sperm swims in water.
Therefore the pteridophytes depend on water for
sexual reproduction.
During asexual reproduction spores are
produced.
These spores depend on dry weather for their
release and dispersal.
THE PTERIDOPHYTES -
CHARACTERISTICS
The dominant generation is the sporophyte
generation.
The sporophyte generation is dominant because
it is able to stay alive and produce spores for
many cycles.
The gametophyte generation dies after just one
cycle of gamete formation and fertilization.
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO
1. Explain how the pteridophyte is more advanced
than the bryophyte.
2. Explain how the bryophyte and the pteridophyte
are the same.
SOLUTION:
1. The pteridophyte has true roots, stems and
leaves. They are not thallus plants. They have
conducting and supporting tissue. Therefore
they can grow taller.
2. Both the bryophyte and pteridophyte depend on
water for sexual reproduction. They both
depend on dry weather for spore release and
dispersal. They both do not produce seeds and
fruit. They produce spores.
THE SPERMATOPHYTES
All plants that bear seeds belong to the phylum
Spermatophyta.
These plants maybe separated into 2 groups,
those that bear naked seeds and those whose
seeds occur within fruit.
The plants that produce naked seeds belong to
the group Gymnosperms.
The plants that produce seeds within fruits
belong to the group Angiosperms.
THE GYMNOSPERMS
There are 4 groups of Gymnosperms.
These 4 groups are:-
1. Conifers
2. Cycads
3. Gnetophytes
4. Ginkgophytes
THE GYMNOSPERMS
1. The Conifers:
These are cone bearing
plants.
They are made up of
about 600 different
species.
This makes them the
biggest group of
gymnosperms.
Some examples are pine
trees, yellow woods, red
A selection of Conifers
woods and firs.
THE GYMNOSPERMS
2. The Cycads:
They form the second
largest group of
gymnosperms.
They are made up of
130 extant species.
Extant means that the
organism is not extinct.
Cycads
There were a much
larger population of
cycads but many of
them became extinct.
THE GYMNOSPERMS
3. The Gnetophytes:
This group is very
small.
It is made up of only
3 genera. (Genera is
plural of genus)
One example is the
Welwitschia Welwitschia mirabilis
mirabilis, that is
found in the Namib
Desert.
THE GYMNOSPERMS
4. The Ginkgophytes:
This group is made
up of only one
species.
This species is called
the Ginkgo biloba.
The Ginkgo biloba
is commonly Maidenhair tree
known as the
maidenhair tree.
THE GYMNOSPERMS -
CHARACTERISTICS
These plants have conducting tissue, therefore
water and manufactured food can be transported
to all parts of the plant.
They also have supporting tissue, they have
enough strength and support to allow them to
grow to great lengths.
They have true roots, stems and leaves.
Therefore they are not thallus plants.
They undergo both sexual and asexual
reproduction.
During sexual reproduction seeds are produced.
THE GYMNOSPERMS -
CHARACTERISTICS
These seeds are found on the cones.
They do not bear fruit.
They have spores, but they have both male and
female spores.
These spores are inside the pollen grain and ovary.
They are not dependent on water for reproduction.
The male spores are carried to the female cone by
the wind.
The pollen tube then carries the spores to the
ovary.
THE GYMNOSPERMS -
CHARACTERISTICS
Two generations also occur in these plants.
The sporophyte generation is dominant.
The gametophyte generation is separated into a
male gametophyte and a female gametophyte.
Both the male and female gametophyte
generation occur within the sporophyte.
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO:
1. Explain how the gymnosperms are similar to the
pteridophytes.
2. Explain how the gymnosperms are different
from the pteridophytes.
SOLUTION:
1. Similarities
They both have xylem and phloem, therefore
they are both vascular plants.
They both have true roots, stems and leaves,
therefore they are not thallus plants.
Their sporophyte generation is dominant.
2. Differences
The gymnosperms are able to produce seeds,
while the pteridophytes do not.
SOLUTION
Thegymnosperm have separate male and female
gametophytes, while the pteridophytes have only
one gametophyte with both the male and female
sex organs on the gametophyte.
ANGIOSPERMS
ANGIOSPERMS
These are terrestrial plants, that occur over a
widespread area.
They are a very successful group of plants.
Some of them occur in very dry areas, these are
called xerophytes.
Other angiosperms are found in areas that have
an abundant water supply, these plants are called
hydrophytes.
Then finally some of them live in areas of
moderate water supply, such plants are called
mesophytes.
ANGIOSPERMS
These plants also have both the sporophyte and
gametophyte generations.
The sporophyte is the dominant generation.
Two separate gametophyte generations occur.
They are the male gametophyte and the female
gametophyte.
Both these gametophyte generations occur in the
sporophyte generation.
Lets discuss the sporophyte generation now.
ANGIOSPERMS - ROOTS
STRUCTURE:
The sporophyte generation is the flowering plant.
It is made up of roots, stems leaves and flowers.
Two types of roots systems may occur.
These are the tap root system or the adventitious
root system.
The tap root system has one main root and several
side roots.
The tap roots arise from the radicale of the seed.
They occur in dicotyledonus plants.
ANGIOSPERMS - ROOTS
The tap root system
has one main root
and several side
roots.
The tap roots arise
from the radical of
the seed.
They occur in
dicotyledonous
plants.
ANGIOSPERM - ROOTS
The adventitious root is
made up of a number of
roots that are more or
less the same size.
There is no main root.
The adventitious root
arises from any part of
the plant but the radical.
They occur in
monocotyledonous
plants.
ANGIOSPERM - ROOTS
FUNCTIONS
Roots have 2 functions.
They are:
FUNCTION
The stem holds the flower in a perfect position for
pollination.
The stem holds the leaves in a perfect position to
receive sunlight.
ANGIOSPERM - STEMS
The stem also transports water and mineral salts
from the roots to the leaves.
They also transport manufactured food from the
leaves to all parts of the plant.
Therefore it has well developed xylem and
phloem.
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO
Explain how the stem is adapted for its functions.
SOLUTION
It has strengthening and supporting tissue to hold
the leaves and flowers in a perfect position to
receive sunlight and for pollination.
It has xylem and phloem to transport food and
water throughout the plant.
ANGIOSPERM - LEAVES
STRUCTURE:
The leaves are green in
colour.
They can be broad and
flat as in the dicot leaf
or long and narrow in
the monocot leaf.
Dicot leaves have net
Monocot leaf Dicot leaf
venation while
monocot leaves have
parallel venation.
ANGIOSPERM - LEAVES
They arise from the
node of the stem.
In the dicot plant the
are attached to the
stem by means of a
petiole.
The monocot leaves
are attached directly
to the stem.
Therefore they are
called sessile leaves.
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO
Tabulate differences between monocot and dicot
leaves.
SOLUTION
Differences between monocotyledonous leaves
and dicotyledonous leaves.
Monocot Dicot
1. Leaves broad and 1. Leaves long and
flat narrow.
2. Attached to stem by 2. Attached directly to
the petiole. the stem.
3. Net venation. 3. Parallel venation.
ANGIOSPERM - LEAVES
FUNCTION:
Leaves trap sunlight for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves.
SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO
Explain how the leaf is adapted for its function.
SOLUTION
The broad flat shape of the leaf offers a large
surface area to allow for the maximum absorption
of sunlight.
Leaves have pigment chlorophyll to trap sunlight for
photosynthesis.
They have xylem to transport water to the leaf for
photosynthesis.
They have phloem to transport the manufactured
food to all parts of the plant.
They have stomata for gaseous exchange.
They are covered by a cuticle to reduce water loss
by transpiration.
ANGIOSPERM - FLOWER
The flower is the reproductive organ of the plant.
The male and female gametophyte are found in
the flower.
The male and female gametes are found within
the male and female gametophyte.
ANGIOSPERM - FLOWER
The dicot flower is
made up of 4 parts.
These are the calyx,
corolla, androecium
and gynaenium.
Dicot Flower
ANGIOSPERM - FLOWER
In the monocot flower the calyx and corolla is
fused to form the perianth.
Monocot Flower
ANGIOSPERM - CHARACTERISTICS
All angiosperms have the following characteristics:
1. They have true roots, stems and leaves.
2. They have vascular tissue.
3. They bear seeds that occur within fruits.
4. They also have separate male and female
spores.
5. Male spores are found within the pollen grain
while female spores are found within the
ovules.
6. Some spores many need water for spore
dispersal.
ANGIOSPERM - CHARACTERISTICS
7. They do not depend on water for sexual
reproduction.
8. Insects and animals are used as pollinating
agents.
9. They have a dominate sporophyte generation.
10. Separate male and female gametophyte
generations occur within the sporopyhte
generation.
PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
LAND PLANTS
The land plants progressed in the following areas:
1. Increase in the size of Plants
2. The increasing size of the Sporophyte and the
decreasing size of the Gametophyte.
3. Decreasing Dependence on Water for Sexual
Reproduction.
PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF LAND
PLANTS
1. Increase in the size of Plants:
We started with the bryophytes. They were very
small. This is because they do not have any
conducting tissue, which will be needed to
transport water to all parts of the plant, even if it
very big and tall.
Then we studied the pteridiophytes, they are much
larger, some of them can even grow into tall trees.
They are able to grow taller than the bryophytes
because they have conducting tissues.
The gymnosperms and angiosperms are much taller
because they have well developed conducting
tissue that will be able to transport substances to
the tips of the plant.
PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
LAND PLANTS
2. The Increasing size of the Sporophyte and the
Decreasing size of the Gametophyte.
In bryophytes the gametophyte is the dominant
generation. The sporophyte grows on the
gametophyte and is semi-parasitic on the
gametophyte generation.
In pteridophytes, the sporophyte is dominant.
The gametophyte generation is separate, and is
very small.
PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
LAND PLANTS
In the gymnosperm and angiosperm, the
sporophyte generation is dominant. Separate
male and female gametophytes occur. The
gametophytes are enclosed and protected by a
much larger sporophyte generation.
A phylogentic tree shows the
evolutionary relationships amongst
different species.
It also represents a hypothesis about the
history of a certain group of organisms.
This history mentioned above is based on a
set of characteristics.
SOMETHING EXTRA:
A phylogentic tree
may look like
either of the
diagrams shown
alongside.
Some phylogentic trees
Now lets look at
what information
these trees show
us…
SOMETHING EXTRA:
Lets start with A.
A is called the
ancestral
stock.
It is found at the base
of the phylogentic
tree.
All the taxonomic
groups on this tree
arose from this
ancestor.
A Phylogentic Tree
SOMETHING EXTRA:
Now lets look at B
B is called the point of
divergence.
It is the point where a new
species evolved from the
ancestral stock.
This new species can be the
ancestor of a new
taxonomic group. B
We must remember that the
ancestral stock continues
to exist, but it can undergo Ancestral stock
evolutionary change.
Phylogentic Tree
SOMETHING EXTRA:
Now lets move onto C.
C shows the formation of a 1 2 3
new species.
This is where C diverges
leading to the formation of a C
new species 1 and 2.
We can see that the tree also
shows close relationships.
For example 1 and 2 are
closely related because they Ancestral stock
are twigs of the same branch.
While 3 is on a separate
Phylogentic Tree
branch therefore not closely
related to 1 and 2.
SOMETHING EXTRA:
Finally lets look at
4
D.
D shows that the D
ancestral stock
continues to exist
but has undergone
evolutionary
change and Ancestral stock
diversified to
become phylum Phylogentic Tree
4.
TERMINOLOGY:
Vascular plants: are those with conducting tissue.
Non-vascular plants: are those that do not have
conducting tissue.
Conducting tissue: are tissue that transport water and
mineral salts and manufactured food throughout the
plant.
Thallus: is a plant that does not have true roots, stems
and leaves.
Dominant generation: is the one that is alive for more
than one reproductive cycle.
Genera: is plural of genus
Extant: means that the organism is not extinct.
TERMINOLOGY:
Xerophytes: are plants that occur in very dry areas.
Hydrophytes: are plants that are found in areas
that have an abundant water supply.
Mesophytes: are plants that live in areas of
moderate water supply.
Radical: is the first root that develops from the
embryo of a plant found within the seed.
Adventitious root system: a roots system in which
all the roots are more or less the same size.
Tap root system: made of one main root and
several smaller roots.
TERMINOLOGY:
Petiole: is a small stem-like structure that
attaches the leaf to the stem.
Sessile: these are leaves that are attached directly
to the stem, they do not have petioles.
Pollination: is the transfer of pollen grains from
one plant to another.
Phylogenetic trees: are special diagrams that are
used to show evolutionary relationships.
QUESTION 1
The diagram used to study evolutionary
relationships is called the…
A. Cladogram
B. Gametophyte
C. Sporophyte
D. Prothallus
QUESTION 2
The dominant generation in mosses is…
A. Cladogram
B. Gametophyte
C. Sporophyte
D. Prothallus
QUESTION 3
The angiosperms are able to grow so tall because…
A. Ferns
B. Moss
C. Both A and B
D. A only
QUESTION 5
The plants that are independent of water for
reproduction is…
A. Moss
B. Fern
C. Bryophytes
D. Angiosperms
QUESTION 6
The gymnosperms do not need water for reproduction
because…
D. Both A and B.
QUESTION 7
The gametophytes are separate and are found
within the sporophytes in…
A. Bryophytes
B. Pteridophytes
C. Gymnosperms
A. Perianth
B. Petiole
C. Pollen
D. Pollen tube
QUESTION 9
The petiole is used to attach…
A. Dominant
B. Sessile
C. Perianth
D. Dicot
QUESTION 11
The following are a list of characteristics of dicot plants…
A. Bryophytes
B. Pteridophytes
C. Gymnosperms
D. Angiosperms
QUESTION 14
Gymnosperms and angiosperms are similar because
they…
A. Nodes
B. Internodes
C. Petioles
D. Auxiliary bud
QUESTION 17
Plants that are found in areas of abundant water
supply are called…
A. Mesophytes
B. Xerophytes
C. Hydrophytes
D. Terrestrial
QUESTION 18
Plants that are found in areas of moderate water
supply are called…
A. Mesophytes
B. Xerophytes
C. Hydrophytes
D. Terrestrial
QUESTION 19
Plants that are found in areas of limited water
supply are called…
A. Mesophytes
B. Xerophytes
C. Hydrophytes
D. Terrestrial
QUESTION 20
Land plants are called…
A. Mesophytes
B. Xerophytes
C. Aquatic
D. Terrestrial
SOLUTION
1. A 11. D
2. B 12. B
3. A 13. D
4. C 14. B
5. D 15. A
6. D 16. A
7. C 17. C
8. A 18. A
9. A 19. B
10. B 20. D