Basics and Synapomorphies
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Plants are multicellular organisms that, with the exception of holoparsites, are photosynthetic. Plant cells all have cell walls comprised of cellulose. Molecular evidence supports that Charophyte algae are the most recent ancestors of all plants. The four primary plant traits that separate them from algae are as follows:
- Alternation of Generations- A life cycle unique to plants that has a haploid gametophyte(gamete bearing) stage and a diploid sporophyte(spore bearing) stage.
- Walled, resilient spores are produced in a multicellular sporangia.
- Gametes are produced inside a multicellular gametangia
- Apical Meristems- regions near the tips of roots and stems where cell division and growth occurs most.
Vascular Tissue
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Vascular tissue are specialized cells that transport water, sugar, and nutrients throughout the plant. With the exceptions of Phyla Hepatophyta, Anthocerophyta, and Bryophyta, all plants have vascular tissue.
There are two types of vascular tissue: xylem and phloem. Xylem are dead cells that carry water and minerals up from soil using capillary action. Phloem are cells that transport sugar rich water throughout the plant
There are two types of vascular tissue: xylem and phloem. Xylem are dead cells that carry water and minerals up from soil using capillary action. Phloem are cells that transport sugar rich water throughout the plant