Overview of Plant Evolution SUNY Plattsburgh概述植物进化普拉茨堡湖.pptVIP

Bryophytes There are three groups of bryophytes Mosses 12,000 species Liverworts 6,500 species Hornworts 100 species Liverworts and hornworts Liverworts are even less conspicuous than mosses. Some have a lobed appearance. They reproduce both sexually and asexually from small bundles of cells known as gemmae. Hornworts have elongated sporophytes that are hornlike in appearance. They are unusual in that each photosynthetic cell contains one large chloroplast rather than many smaller ones. Bryophytes Bryophytes arose at least 400 mya and possess two adaptations that allow them to survive on land. Waxy cuticle reduces water loss Gametes are protected and develop within gametangia. Bryophytes Bryophytes do not have a vascular system and so cannot grow very large. They also need moisture to reproduce because fertilization depends on sperm being able to swim through water to reach the egg. In bryophytes the gametophyte (haploid n) is the dominant generation and the sporophyte (diploid 2n) is dependent on the gametophyte. Bryophyte reproduction Male gametophytes produce sperm and female gametophytes produce eggs. When there is sufficient moisture sperm swim to the egg and fertilize it. Fertilized egg develops into a zygote and ultimately into a sporophyte. Seedless vascular plants: Ferns and fern allies Giant tree ferns, horsetails and lycopods were the dominant vegetation of the Carboniferous period. Their fossilized remains formed extensive coal beds. They were ultimately superseded by the seed plants and far fewer survive today. Present day fern allies Lycopods: About 1,000 species. Includes tropical epiphytes and northern hemisphere low growing club mosses. Horsetails: today about 15 species of Equisetum occur in northern hemisphere in damp conditions. Ferns A very diverse group about 12,000 species most abundant in the tropics, but distributed worldwide. Most are small to moderately large plants, but tree ferns are many meters tall. Spores and seeds The s