Gymnosperms

Seeds and their advantages 1) Seed plants don’t depend on water to reproduce –Pollen (contains sperm) carried by wind/animals –Zygote hardens into a seed 2) Nourishment and protection –Nourish: Nutrients inside feed embryo –Protection: Hard shell 3) Allow dispersal –Carried by wind, water, animals Some seeds have “wings” Some seeds are carried by animals

Group 3: Seed producing, Vascular Plants Type 1: Gymnosperms Needle-like leaves (reduces water loss) Common to lumber industry Seeds enclosed in cones –Male cones: produce pollen –Female cones: produce eggs Zygote hardens into seed after fertilization Ex: Evergreen, Pine, Redwood, Cedar

Gymnosperm Life Cycle Let’s zoom into the cones of this sporophyte tree. 1) Male and female seed cones grow on adult sporophytes Male cones Female cone

2) Pollen (male gametophyte) released from the male seed cones. Female eggs become fertilized Zygote created inside the female cones egg zygo te egg zygo te Male cones make pollen Female cones make eggs

3) Seeds begin to harden inside the female cones seed

4) Seeds often spread by wind “wing” helps seeds spread greater distance

5) Seed will land ground

6) Seedling grows into sporophyte…the cycle repeats ground

Seedling has grown into an adult Let’s zoom into the cones of this sporophyte tree. 1) Male and female seed cones grow on adult sporophytes Male cones Female cone

2) Pollen (male gametophyte) released from the male seed cones. Female eggs become fertilized Zygote created inside the female cones egg zygo te egg zygo te Male cones make pollen Female cones make eggs

3) Seeds begin to harden inside the female cones seed

4) Seeds often spread by wind “wing” helps seeds spread greater distance

5) Seed will land ground

6) Seedling grows into (sporophyte)…the cycle repeats ground

Kobe Kuiz 1)Name three advantages of seeds. 2)Which structure will protect gymnosperm seeds? 3)What do male cones produce? 4)What do female cones produce? 5)What is created when the sperm and egg fuse: sporophyte or gametophyte?