Explore BrainMass

Explore BrainMass

    Plant Diversity

    Plant diversity encompasses the total variation of plant species which exists. The genomes of different plants differ so dramatically that the properties which these species are capable of possessing is truly amazing. For example, an endemic Indonesian plant found in western Sumatra, called Amorphophallus titanum has the largest unbranched inflorescence and also possesses an odour which resembles the scent of a decomposing mammal.

    In terms of differentiating plant species, plants can be separated into two classes:

    1. Angiosperms: These are plants which seeds are capable of producing fruits or flowers. Species which fall under this class are also referred to as hardwoods. Angiosperms are known as flowering plants. For example, roses and lilies are angiosperms.

    Figure 1. This is an image of a lily flower. This image has been taken from http://pixabay.com/p-73098/?no_redirect.

    1. Gymnosperms (“naked seeds”): These are plants which do not produce fruits because their seeds are hidden in a cone. These species are also known as softwoods. In comparison to angiosperms, gymnosperms do not produce flowers, but retain their leaves all year round. For example, cedar trees and pines are gymnosperms.

    Figure 2. This image represents an example of a gymnosperm. This is an image of a pine cluster and this picture has been taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tulio22/422426330/.

    Furthermore, angiosperms can be further classified as dicotyledons and monocotyledons. Dicotyledons are flowering plants which come from two seed leaves, whereas monocotyledons come from one seed leaf. There are other features which differentiate monocots and dicots which include, but are not limited to flower part number, the way that the vascular bundles are arranged on the stem and the presence of secondary growth.  

    In comparison to gymnosperms, angiosperms represent a much larger proportion of all plant species on the planet, about 80%. Nevertheless, the total amount of plant biodiversity which exists is truly remarkable. 

    © BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com April 19, 2024, 3:47 am ad1c9bdddf

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Taxonomy, Plants & Animal Evolution (Tree of Life), Reflecting on Biodiversity

    1. What is taxonomy? 2. Look at plants and animals. Select a plant and an animal and see how it evolved up the Tree of Life from the beginning of time to the present. 3. How did this species change over time? How did it start out and how did it evolve. 4. What were the factors in its 'branching' out? 5. How does

    Flowering Plants

    Why are flowering plants considered by many botanists to be the most successful land plants?

    Biodiversity in Plant Communities

    Define the concept of biodiversity and explain the importance of biodiversity to plant communities. Describe particular threats to biodiversity that you see happening in your area of the country or community and discuss what might be done to counteract those threats and protect the plant communities.

    Plant Biology: Evolution of Plants

    1. Plants originated in the water, then moved to land. In order to do this, plants had to evolve a number of important structures that enabled their survival on land. Describe the structural changes that had to happen to support this move and discuss the functional importance of each of these structures to the environmental chan

    Angiosperms/Angiospermophyta

    Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the largest phylum in the plant kingdom (Angiospermophyta is also called Anthophyta or Magnoliophyta). These plants have true roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. The roots grow into the soil to anchor the plant in place and take up water and nutrients. The leaves are above ground and act as the

    Structural modification

    Original, nothing from library please. Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the largest Phylum in the Plant Kingdom (Angiospermophyta is also called Anthophyta or Magnoliophyta). These plants have true roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The roots grow into the soil to anchor the plant in place and take up water and nutrients.

    Modification among angiosperms.

    Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the largest Phylum in the Plant Kingdom (Angiospermophyta is also called Anthophyta or Magnoliophyta). These plants have true roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The roots grow into the soil to anchor the plant in place and take up water and nutrients. The leaves are above ground and act as the m

    Modified Angiosperms and Adaptation

    Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the largest Phylum in the plant kingdom (Angiospermophyta is also called Anthophyta or Magnoliophyta). These plants have true roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The roots grow into the soil to anchor the plant in place and take up water and nutrients. The leaves are above ground and act as the m

    Intro. Biology Questions: Herbarium and Angiosperms

    1. List all of the information that should be recorded in the field notebook for any plant collected in the field and intended to become a herbarium specimen. 2. Illustrate and describe the Angiosperm life cycle.

    General Biology

    1. What type of organism gave rise to land plants? A. Green Algae B. Mosses C. Fungi D. Cyanobacteria 2. What structures conserve water allowing plants to live on land? A. Cuticle B. Cholrophyll C. Roots D. Flowers 3. Which of the following are ALL seedless non-vascular plants. A. Trees, Shrubs, Fungi, Algae

    How the Different Plant Phyla Evolved

    Why are some simple plants only found in damp places. Why are flowering plants the most successful on this planet. What is the difference between reproduction in coniferous plants and in flowering plants. This solution sets out to put in plain english some of the intricacies and complicated vocabulary used in Botany.

    Monophyletic Plants

    Could you please tell me WHY green algae and land plants are considered to be monophyletic? Thank you.

    Structural differences between flowering plants

    I am trying to understand the difference between a typical dicot flower and a typical monocot flower. I've been searching for a simple to understand drawing that labels the sepal, stamen, pistil (dicot) and also a drawing that labels the typical monocot flower that labels the tepals, stamen, and pistil.