Plant Life Cycles & Reproduction

Types of seed plants Some plants do not produce seeds. These are plants like mosses and ferns. There are two main types of seed plants. Gymnosperms – a seed plant whose seeds are not inside a fruit Angiosperms – a seed plant that has seeds enclosed in some type of fruit

Gymnosperms Most gymnosperms produce cones. Male cones produce pollen and female cones produce eggs. There are three main types of gymnosperms: Cycads Ginkgos Conifers

Angiosperms Most angiosperms produce fruit and flowers. Flowers contain both the male and female sex organs of plants. Sepal – protects the developing flower Petals – attract pollinators Stamen – male reproductive organ that produces pollen Pistil – female reproductive organ that takes in pollen Fruits act as the ovaries of plants, protecting the seed (which could one day grow into a new angiosperm)

Plant Life Cycles Plant life cycles have two stages: Sporophyte - The diploid stage where a fertilized egg develops into a spore- producing plant Gametophyte – The haploid stage where a spore develops into a gamete-producing plant

Gymnosperm Life Cycles Gymnosperms Life Stages: Sporophyte – During the sporophyte stage, trees produce male and female cones. Female cones are typically bigger than male cones. Gametophyte – During the gametophyte stage, male cones release pollen and is taken in by the female cone through a pollen tube. Fertilization occurs and a seed is formed inside the female cone.

Angiosperm Life Cycles Angiosperms Life Stages: Sporophyte – During the sporophyte stage, plants produce flowers. Flowers contain both male and female sex organs. Gametophyte – During the gametophyte stage, pollen grains fertilize the ovule (or egg) on the inside of each flower. Ovules become seeds and the ovary around the seed develops into a fruit.