Biology Notebook: 06.

07 Plant Growth, Reproduction, and

Development
Objectives:
• • Compare and contrast the life cycles of mosses, ferns, and conifer
• • Describe the reproductive organs and fertilization flowering plants
• • Identify methods of plant reproduction

Key Questions and Terms Notes

Alternation of Generations
What are the stages that a plant life cycle alternates between?

All plants have alternating life cycles that switch back and forth between a sexual reproductive stage
and asexual reproductive stage.
Explain alternation of generations.

This is an alternation of generations because each plant generation moves from one stage to another in a
continuous life cycle.
What is a sporophyte? A sporophyte is a plant in its asexual reproduction phase. It consists of cells that
are diploid (2n
Describe the cells of a sporophyte. This means all their cells have a full set of chromosomes for that
organism. A full set of chromosomes is different for every species. Pine trees have 24 chromosomes in their
diploid cells, while cycads have only 22.

What is a gametophyte? A gametophyte is a plant in its sexual reproduction phase. 

Describe the cells of a gametophyte. All the cells of a gametophyte are haploid (1n). A haploid cell has
half the number of chromosomes as the diploid cell (2n) of the same species. For example, humans have
46 chromosomes in their diploid cells and 23 chromosomes in their haploid cells.

Describe the life cycle of ferns. Sporophyte

1. The diploid (2n) sporophyte grows from a zygote in ferns. (It grows directly from the gametophyte as
a capsule stalk in mosses.)
2. Sporangium form underneath fern fronds. (A spore capsule forms at the end of the capsule stalk in
mosses.)
3. Meiosis creates haploid (1n) spores within the sporangium (spore capsule in mosses).
4. Spores disperse and grow into new gametophytes.

Gametophyte:
 5. The gametophyte grows into a heart-shaped plant in ferns. (In mosses, the gametophyte grows into
separate male and female adult plants.)
6. Mitosis produces flagellated male sperm and female egg cells in the gametophyte. (In mosses, the
male gametophyte makes the flagellated sperm and the female gametophyte makes the egg cells.)
7. Flagellated sperm combine with female eggs cells (usually in moist areas) to form a diploid (2n)
zygote.
In the alternating life cycles of mosses and ferns, a sexual gametophyte stage and an asexual sporophyte stage
is present for both cycles. In the gametophyte (1n), mitosis creates male and female gametes (1n) for sexual
reproduction. These gametes combine to make zygotes (2n) that grow into the sporophyte phase (2n) of the
plant. In the sporophyte stage, plants create haploid spores (1n) through the process of meiosis. They
disperse with wind, water, or in the fur of animals. When they land on fertile ground, they grow into the new
gametophytes (1n).

The Life Cycle of Gymnosperms

What is the dominate plant stage for mosses? gametophytes
What is the dominate plant stage for seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms, and angiosperms?
Some plants, like mosses, have gametophytes as their dominant plant stage. In contrast, the sporophyte
phase is the dominant plant in seedless vascular (ferns), gymnosperm, and angiosperms. In the
gymnosperm and angiosperm divisions, the gametophyte stage grows directly from the dominant sporophyte
and stays hidden in something smaller, like a flower in angiosperms or a pine cone in gymnosperms.
Describe the gametophyte stage in gymnosperms and angiosperms.
Summarize the life cycle of a pine tree (gymnosperm).
Reproduction of Flowering Plants
How are the life cycles of angiosperms and gymnosperms similar?
How are the life cycles of angiosperms and gymnosperms different?
Describe the parts of a flower:
 Petals: colorful structures at the top of the flower stem responsible for attracting pollinators
 Pistil/Carpel: the female part of the flower (multiple carpels are called a pistil)
 Stigma: the sticky part of the pistil that traps pollen
 Style: tube-like structure that supports pistil
 Ovary: contains the female gametophytes (eggs)
 Stamen: the male part of the flower
 Anther: contain the male gametophytes (pollen)
 Filament: thread-like support for stamen
 Sepals: modified leaves that enclose the petals
•
What three main organs of a flower are important for reproduction?
What is the function of the stamen?
What is the function of the pistil?
What do the ovules contain?
What is the function of the petals?
Define pollination.
Describe reproduction in flowering plants.
What is double fertilization?
 Methods of Asexual Reproduction in Plants
What is vegetative reproduction or fragmentation?
What are some examples of shoots and roots that are capable of vegetative reproduction?
What is regeneration?
How are asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction different?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?

Let’s recap!
Now that we have learned about the gymnosperms, let’s compare life cycles in the chart.

Separate male Gametophytes Flagellated Spores release

Sporophyte and female grow within male into the
is dominant gametophytes sporophyte gametes environment

Mosses no yes no yes yes

(nonvascular
plants)

Ferns (seedless yes no no yes yes

vascular)

Gymnosperms yes yes yes no no

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Separate male Gametophytes Flagellated Spores release

Sporophyte and female grow within male into the
  is dominant gametophytes sporophyte gametes environment

Mosses no yes no yes yes

(nonvascular
plants)

Ferns yes no no yes yes

(seedless
vascular)

Gymnosperms yes yes yes no no

Angiosperms yes no yes no no

Sample Questions:Which of the following is NOT part of the carpel?

A. A. Filament
B. B. Stigma
C. C. Style
D. D. Ovary
Which of the following is a disadvantage of asexual reproduction in plants?

A. A. Can occur quickly.

B. B. Does not require male and female gametophytes.
C. C. Reduces genetic diversity.
D. D. Is vegetative reproduction.
E. Did you notice the differences between mosses and ferns in the alternating life cycles slide show?
Let’s compare moss and fern cycles in the Venn diagram to be sure you understand the differences and
similarities between cycles.

F.