Seedless Vascular Plants Ferns and the like

Vascular means vessels (tube) Bryophytes (mosses) can only get water by directly absorbing it through cell walls via osmosis If very large, water could not get to the internal cells and the plant would die In order for plants to be large, a different transport system is needed Vascular means vessels (tube)   We have vascular tissue in us – our blood vessels In the same way, our vascular tissue allows all of our cells to obtain nutrients and get rid of waste Plants with vascular tissue can grow taller as the vessels transport nutrients and wastes to and from internal cells

Vascular Tissue in Plants Xylem transports water up from the roots to all parts of the plant   Xylem cells are hollow and have thick cell walls that can handle the pressure of water These cells are called tracheids Phloem transports dissolved nutrients from photosynthesis up and down to all parts of the plant

Vascular Plants All have the following features in common: True roots True stems that are supporting structures connecting roots to leaves True leaves that carry out photosynthesis and contain veins (bundles of vascular tissue)

Seedless Vascular Plants Don’t produce seeds! Live in moist environments Consist of the club mosses, horsetails and ferns

Club Mosses Lycopodium is a common example and looks like a miniature pine tree

Horsetails Leaves are underdeveloped and non photosynthetic Photosynthesis occurs in stems Stems coated with silicates which are rough In colonial times were used to clean pots and pans

Ferns – Phylum Pterophyta Largest group Have creeping, underground stems called rhizomes as well as true roots Large leaves are called fronds

Fern Life Cycle Undergoes alternation of generation (part of life cycle is diploid and part is haploid like mosses)   Haploid spores form on the underside of the fronds in tiny containers called sporangia Sporangia group together in clusters called sori Mature gametophyte is heart shape Antheridia and archegonia are found on the underside Fertilization requires water