1. Plant Characteristics
Vocabulary

2. 1. Alternation of Generations
A haploid plant (gametophyte) and a diploid plant (sporophyte) alternate to complete a plant’s life cycle.

3. 5. Diploid
(2N). A cell with two copies of each chromosome. The sporophyte generation and spores are diploid.

4. 14. Haploid
(1N). A cell with only 1 copy of each chromosome. The gametophyte generation and gametes are haploid.

5. 16. Meiosis
Cell reproductive process that yields four genetically unique haploid cells.

6. 18. Mitosis
Cell reproductive process that yields two genetically identical copies of cells.

7. 11. Gamete
Egg or sperm. Haploid.

8. 25. Spore
A haploid cell that grows into the gametophyte.

9. 8. Fertilization
The fusing of a haploid egg and haploid sperm to produce a unique diploid zygote/embryo.

10. 29. Zygote
The single diploid cell resulting from the fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm cell.

11. 6. Embryo
The diploid result of fertilization of two gametes. Develops into the sporophyte.

12. 12. Gametophyte
The haploid generation in a plant’s life cycle that produces gametes.

13. 10. Gametangium
Tissue in gametophyte that produces gametes.

14. 27. Sporophyte
The diploid generation in a plant’s life cycle that produces haploid spores.

15. 24. Sporangium
Tissue in sporophyte that produces spore cells

16. 3. Bryophyte
Mosses, liverworts and hornworts. Gametophyte is dominant generation. Sporophyte often dependent on gametophyte. No vascular system, leaves or roots. Spread by spores. Relies on water for sperm to travel.

17. 22. Rhizoid
The root-like supportive structures of moss and other non-vascular plants.

18. 7. Fern (and fern allies)
Have vascular system, true roots, leaves (called fronds) and stems. Sporophyte and gametophyte generations live independently. Spread by spores. Relies on water for sperm to travel.

19. 9. Frond
Fern leaf that starts as a “fiddlehead.” Often have sporangia on back.

20. 13. Gymnosperm
Pines, cycad, ginkgo. Gametophyte generation is tiny and lives within the cone. Pollen travels by wind. Embryo contained in a seed.

21. 21. Pollen
Houses male gametophyte that produces sperm in seed plants.

22. 23. Seed
Gymnosperm and angiosperm structure for dispersal. Contains an embryo, stored food and a seed coat.

23. 2. Angiosperm
Flowering plant. Gametophyte tiny and lives in the flower of a sporophyte. Produce seeds surrounded by fruit. Often pollinated and dispersed by animals.

24. 4. Carpel
The female part of a flower (all the carpels together make a pistil). Contains an ovary with the gametophyte that produces egg cells.

25. 19. Ovary
The female reproductive organ of angiosperms where eggs develop. Becomes the fruit surrounding the seeds.

26. 28. Stamen
The male reproductive structure of angiosperms that produce pollen.

27. 20. Photosynthesis
The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Captures the sun’s energy making it available to all life.