Unit 2: Plants

Question 1

Are plants eukaryotic or prokaryotic?

Answer 1

Eukaryotic. Plant cells have a nucleus, cell membrane bound organelles, etc.)

Question 2

True or false: Plants are unicellular.

Answer 2

False. Plants are multicellular.

Question 3

How do plants obtain their carbon?

Answer 3

Plants are photosynthetic autotrophs, this means they get their carbon from CO2, which is an inorganic substance.

Question 4

How do plants store their carbohydrates?

Answer 4

It is stored as starch. Proof is seen in corn and potatoes.

Question 5

True or false: The life cycle alternates between multicellular n and 2n phases?

Answer 5

True. There are the haploid and diploid phases, both of which are multicellular.

Question 6

True or false: plants evolved from algae?

Answer 6

True. Plants share many characteristics with algae. Oldest fossils show that plants probably evolved from filamentous green algae about 470 million years ago.

Question 7

What are examples of bryophytes?

Answer 7

Mosses, liverworts and hornworts.

Question 8

Describe the haploid and diploid parts of bryophytes.

Answer 8

The haploid part of the plant is the dominant (largest) part of the plant. Bryophytes have diploid reproductive structures.

Question 9

What is the purpose of the waxy cuticle?

Answer 9

All plants have a waxy cuticle which covers all above ground surfaces; this helps stop water loss.

Question 10

What are stomata and guard cells?

Answer 10

Stomata are holes/openings and guard cells are specialized cells that can open and close the stomata. These cover all above ground surfaces and allow for gas exchange and decrease water loss.

Question 11

In terms of the alternating life cycles, describe seedless vascular plants.

Answer 11

The diploid plant produces spores. The SMALLER haploid plant produces gametes.

Question 12

What are some examples of seedless vascular plants?

Answer 12

Equisetum and ferns.

Question 13

What is phloem?

Answer 13

A vascular tissue which conducts products of photosynthesis.

Question 14

What is xylem?

Answer 14

A vascular tissue which conducts water and minerals.

Question 15

Do bryophytes contain phloem and xylem?

Answer 15

No. Seedless vascular, gymnosperms and flowering plants (angiosperms) have phloem and xylem.

Question 16

What else do seedless vascular plants contain?

Answer 16

They contain lignin, a material in cell walls which provides support/strengthens the cells and plant. Dead xylem is woody tissue.

Question 17

What are the haploid and diploid structures in gymnosperms?

Answer 17

The diploid plant produces spores whereas the haploid reproductive structure produces gametes.

Question 18

What are some examples of gymnosperms?

Answer 18

Conifers, cycads, ginko, gnetophytes.

Question 19

Along with features found in bryophytes and seedless vascular plants, what are the features of gymnosperms?

Answer 19

• Pollen: multicellular, haploid reproductive organ that produces sperm.
• seeds: embryo (“baby” plant) + endosperm (food reserves) proctected by seed coat.

Question 20

What is the general trend regarding haploid and diploid structures, as plants get more and more complex?

Answer 20

The haploid structures are getting smaller and smaller. We now have pine cones that are haploid (ex), and not the pine tree itself.

Question 21

What is another name for flowering plants?

Answer 21

Angiosperms.

Question 22

What are examples of angiosperms?

Answer 22

monocots (grasses) and dicots (trees and most other plants).

Question 23

True or false: All angiosperm characteristics are shared with other plants.

Answer 23

False. Though it is true that angiosperms share characteristics with other plants, they are the only type of plant that produces flowers and fruit.

Question 24

What are some characteristics of fruit?

Answer 24

They develop from flowers. Fruit are the ovary. A fruit remains with the seed to provide protection.
All fruits contain seeds.

Question 25

What does meiosis produce in plants?

Answer 25

It does NOT produce gametes. Instead it produces spores which will undergo mitosis and will develop into gametophytes. Males gametophytes are sperm and female gametophytes are eggs.

Question 26

What is the first step in double fertilization in angiosperms?

Answer 26

The pollen (male organ) contacts the stigma (female organ).

Question 27

What is the second step in double fertilization?

Answer 27

If the pollen and stigma are compatible, the pollen tube grows. This tube grows in the stigma toward ovule.

Question 28

What is the third step in double fertilization?

Answer 28

2 haploid sperm are released (the sperm follow the tube as it grows). They were produced via mitosis of cell in pollen.

Question 29

What is the fourth step in double fertilization?

Answer 29

One sperm nucleus fuses with egg (ovule) nucleus. This forms a zygote (2n).

Question 30

What is the fifth (last) step in double fertilization?

Answer 30

The second sperm nucleus fuses with 2 nuclei of central cell. This forms a 3n endosperm. This is unique to flowering plants.

Question 31

What type of cell division is used during seed development?

Answer 31

Mitosis. Multiple nuclear divisions will form multinucleate cells. Cytokinesis will eventually divide the nuclei into individual cells.

Question 32

What is the role of the very first division of the embryo?

Answer 32

The first division sets up the top (apical/shoots) and the basal (bottom/roots) pattern.

Question 33

What does the apical develop into?

Answer 33

It develops into the embryo.

Question 34

What does the basal develop into?

Answer 34

It develops into a specialized structure to transfer nutrients to embryo. It is called the suspensor and acts like an umbilical cord.

Question 35

True or false: Roots at one end, shoots at the other.

Answer 35

True.

Question 36

During seed development, the embryo establishes a radial pattern of tissues. What stage is this established by?

Answer 36

The globular stage.

Question 37

What are the 3 primary tissues formed?

Answer 37

1. The epidermis. 2. Ground tissue (most of plant). 3. Vascular tissue (phloem and xylem).

Question 38

During seed development, the embryo establishes primary meristems? What is a meristem?

Answer 38

Cells that retain embryonic characteristics.

Question 39

When are primary meristems established?

Answer 39

During the heart and torpedo stage.

Question 40

What are meristems capable of?

Answer 40

The can continue producing specific organs and tissues. They can also regenerate themselves.

Question 41

What are the 3 primary meristems called?

Answer 41

1. Procambium-future vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) 2. Shoot apical meristem-future stems and leaves. 3. Root apical meristem-future roots.

Question 42

True or false: Shoot apical meristems can produce roots.

Answer 42

False. Shoot apical meristems can only produce branches, leaves, flowers and anthers...

Question 43

True or false: Root apical meristem an produce roots.

Answer 43

True.

Question 44

What happens when an embryo is mature?

Answer 44

The seed development stops (dormancy or desiccation).

Question 45

What are the two characteristics of the seed coat?

Answer 45

1. It develops on the exterior surface. | 2. It provides protection for the embryo and endosperm from the environment.