Angiosperms
Angiosperms, also known as flowering plants, are the dominant form of plant life in most terrestrial ecosystems.
Here’s an overview of angiosperms:
- Angiosperms are the largest and most diverse group of plants, with over 300,000 species, representing approximately 80% of all known living green plants.
- The key features that have contributed to the success of angiosperms are the development of flowers and fruit. Flowers ensure pollination, while fruit aids in seed dispersal.
- Flowers are modified leaves arranged around a central stalk. They contain sepals, petals, carpels (female reproductive organs), and stamens (male reproductive organs).
- Pollination in angiosperms can occur through wind, water, or animal pollinators like insects and birds. Cross-pollination increases genetic diversity.
- After pollination, the ovary of the flower develops into a fruit, which protects and aids in the dispersal of the seeds. Fruits can be fleshy (e.g., berries, peaches) or dry (e.g., nuts, grains).
- Angiosperms have a life cycle that alternates between a dominant sporophyte (the adult plant) and a less conspicuous gametophyte generation.
- Angiosperms are classified into two major groups: monocots (e.g., grasses, lilies) and eudicots (e.g., most trees, shrubs, and flowering plants). The groups differ in the number of cotyledons (embryonic leaves) and other structural features.
