The Plant Kingdom – Lesson Summary

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Learning Objective

In this lesson we will learn about the major plant groups.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Describe vascular tissue, seeds and flowers.
  • Discuss the defining characteristics of the following plant groups:
  • Angiosperms (flowering plants)
  • Gymnosperms (conifers and cycads)
  • Pteridophytes (ferns)
  • Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts)

 
the plant kingdom lesson contents

(Image: Bob Blaylock, Wikimedia Commons)

Lesson Topics

1 | Plants

2 | Vascular Tissue, Seeds and Flowers

3 | Angiosperms: Flowering Plants

4 | Gymnosperms: Conifers and Cycads

5 | Pteridophytes: Ferns

6 | Bryophytes: Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts

7 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • The plant kingdom is divided into four main groups:
  • Angiosperms (flowering plants)
  • Gymnosperms (conifers and cycads)
  • Pteridophytes (ferns)
  • Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts)
  • The main differences between the plant groups are the presence or absence of vascular tissue, seeds and flowers.
  • Vascular tissue forms a transportation network for the movement of substances around a plant.
  • Plants with vascular tissue are knowns as vascular plants or tracheophytes.
  • Seeds consist of a plant embryo, endosperm and a seed coat, with the potential to germinate into a plant.
  • Seed-producing plants are known as spermatophytes.
  • Flowers are reproductive structures containing male pollen grains and female ovules that develop into seeds and fruit following pollination and fertilisation.
  • Flower-producing plants are known as angiosperms.
  • Angiosperms (flowering plants):
  • Contain vascular tissue.
  • Produce seeds in fruit.
  • Produce flowers.
  • Often rely on animals for pollination and seed dispersal.
  • Gymnosperms (confers and cycads):
  • Contain vascular tissue.
  • Produce seeds in cones.
  • Do not produce flowers.
  • Pteridophytes (ferns):
  • Contain vascular tissue.
  • Do not produce seeds.
  • Do not produce flowers.
  • Reproduce by spores produced in sporangia.
  • Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts):
  • Do not contain vascular tissue.
  • Do not produce seeds.
  • Do not produce flowers.
  • Reproduce by spores produced in capsules.

  • Plant Group Vascular Tissue Seeds Flowers Other Features
    Angiosperms
    (flowering plants)    		 Yes Yes Yes Fruit; often require animal pollinators
    Gymnosperms
    (conifers & cycads)    		 Yes Yes No Cones
    Pteridophytes
    (ferns)    		 Yes No No Spores produced in sporangia
    Bryophytes
    (mosses, liverworts & hornworts)    		 No No No Spores produced in capsules

Summary of the major plant groups

(Header image: WandererCreative, Pixabay)