Plant Reproduction: Seedless Plants

Review: What are the different types of plant reproduction? Sexual reproduction – Are these cells haploid or diploid? Asexual reproduction – Are these cells haploid or diploid? Today we are learning about reproduction in seedless plants by SPORES – Which type of reproduction produces spores? SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

What types of plants are seedless? Ferns and moss Found in cool, moist, shaded areas in the forest Usually grow near the ground Reproduce sexually by SPORES

Life Cycles of Seedless Plants (Ferns and Moss) Plants reproduce and have a life cycle – Ex: one stage is reproduction Plants have a life cycle with 2 stages – GAMETOPHYTE STAGE Gametes = sex cells, phyte = plant – SPOROPHYTE STAGE Sporo = spores, phyte = plant

Life Cycles: Plant Stages GAMETOPHYTE stage – Reproduction: where cells go through the process of meiosis – HAPLOID cells (HALF the number of chromosomes) SPOROPHYTE stage – Fertilization: when haploid cells combine – DIPLOID cells (DOUBLE the number of chromosomes)

Life Cycles: Plant Stages When a plant’s life cycle alternates (changes) between gametophyte and sporophyte stages, this is called: ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS This means that the plant changes between the two stages: – Sporophytes produce spores – When the spores mature, they are called gametophytes because they produce the sex cells (gametes) and once the gametes combine, produce the sporophyte again!

Life Cycles: Plant Stages In ferns, spores are produced in structures called SORI These are found on the underside of leaves – Red – brown or black colored bumps – These cells have gone through meiosis to form spores and each one can grow into a new plant!