FernsBiology 11

KINGDOM PLANTAE

Vascular Plants

Phylum Tracheophyta

Non-Vascular Plants

Terrestrial:

Bryophytes

Aquatic:

Algae

Phyla:

Bryophyta

Hepatophyta

Antherocerophyta

Phyla:

Chlorophyta

Rhodophyta

Phaeophyta

Seeds No Seeds

Ferns

Sub Phylum:

Lycophyta (club & spike moss) Sphenophyta (equisitem) Pterophyta (ferns)

Sub Phylum Pterophyta (Ferns)

FernsStill tied to the water

– Reproduction (for sperm to swim)

New Advances?– Sporophyte the dominant stage – Both the gametophyte and sporophyte are

photosynthetic and can live independently.– Vascular system (xylem and phloem): can grow

bigger – Roots, stems, and leaves

Basic Structure of a Fern

• Leafy part of fern is called frond• Sorus: clusters of sporangia

• Rhizome: modified stem• Roots: develop from the rhizome

Adaptations for Survival Without Water

1. Vascular Tissue• Tubes that carry water and

nutrients around plant• 2 types

– Xylem: transport water from roots to rest of the plant

– Phloem: transports sugar from fronds to rest of plant

2. Tracheid Cells– Cells that make up xylem tissue (to be discussed in

more detail later)– Provides structural support so leaves can be held

up to sun for photosynthesis

Adaptations for Survival Without Water

3. Leaves with Waxy cuticle• Waterproof coating to help prevent water loss

(evaporation from leaves)

4. True roots grow from rhizome– Take in water

Reproduction

• Alternation of generations

• Dominant generation: sporophyte

• Water still required for sexual reproduction

• Haploid spore production takes place on the underside of the front

• Spores are produced in sporangium • Clusters of sporangium make up sori (seen as

spots on the bottom of a frond)

• Spores released from sorus carried by wind or water

• Germinate into haploid gametophytes– Green, heart shaped tiny

structure called prothallium

• Antheridia and archegonia found on underside of prothallium and produce sperm and egg

• Sperm swim to egg in archegonia for fertilization to occur

• Zygote develops into sporophyte