• Similarities in certain species suggest a common ancestor (cell wall, chlorophyll)

Origin of Plants

Modern green algae Fern

• Does not have specialized tissue to move water & nutrients

• Small plants, depend on diffusion

Nonvascular Plants (bryophytes)

hornwortliverwort

moss

• Don’t have true stems, roots, or leaves– Do have structures that carry out activities

• Mosses– “mat” of tiny green plants– Rhizoid• root-like structure that holds nonvascular plants in

place• Helps plant get water and nutrients

Nonvascular (seedless) Plants

Moss Life Cycle

• Liverworts & Hornworts– Similar to life cycle of mosses– Liverworts• Gametophytes are leafy & moss-like OR broad and flattened

– Hornworts• Gametophytes are broad and flattened

Nonvascular (seedless) Plants

• First plants to live in new environment• Decompose to form thin soil layer for other

plants• Provide soil stability (reduce erosion)• Food chain• Material for nesting• Dried and burned• Potting soils

Importance of Nonvascular Plants

• Has tissue to deliver water & nutrients around plant

• Similar to circulatory system in humans• Plants can be any size

Vascular Plants

• Vascular plants have tissues that move water & nutrients throughout plant– Seedless– Nonflowering Seed Plants• Gymnosperms

– Seeds not enclosed by ovary or fruit

– Flowering Seed Plants• Angiosperms

– Seed within fruit of plant

Types of Vascular Plants

Seedless Vascular Plants

Fern

Horsetail

Club Moss

• Ferns– Fronds-tightly coiled fern leaves (fiddleheads)– Rhizome-underground stem from which new

leaves and roots grow

• Horsetails & Club Mosses

Seedless Vascular Plants

Life Cycle of Fern (vascular seedless)

• Environment– Help form soil– Prevent erosion

• Fossil Fuels– Coal

• Dietary supplements• Skin Care products• Shampoo

Importance of Seedless Vascular Plants