Terms
Alternation of Generations
-
The fluctuation between the diploid (sporophyte) and haploid
(gametophyte) life stages that occurs in plants.
Antheridium
-
The male sex organ of terrestrial plants; where sperm cells are generated.
Archegonium
-
The female sex organ of terrestrial plants; where egg cells are produced.
Autotroph
-
An organism that synthesizes its own organic nutrients and does not rely on
other organisms for food.
Diploid
-
Having two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
Epidermis
-
The outer layer of cells found on the body wall of an organism.
Gamete
-
A haploid sex cell (either an egg or sperm cell); male and female gametes
join during fertilization to create a diploid zygote.
Gametophyte
-
A haploid plant or plant structure that produces haploid gametes
through mitosis.
Haploid
-
Having only one set of chromosomes.
Jacket Cell
-
A component of the cell layer that covers the reproductive organs of plants and
prevents them from drying out.
Photosynthesis
-
The process by which plants and other autotrophic organisms convert light
energy into organic materials.
Root
-
The part of a plant beneath the soil; responsible for collecting water and
minerals from the soil, storing nutrients, and securing the plant to the ground.
Shoot
-
The part of the plant above the soil, including all aerial structures such as
stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits; gathers carbon dioxide and light energy for
photosynthesis, provides surfaces for gas exchange, and contains the plant's
reproductive organs.
Spore
-
Haploid cell from which a gametophyte is produced.
Sporophyte
-
A diploid plant or plant structure that produces haploid spores through
meiosis.
Stoma
-
A very small epidermal pore, surrounded by two guard
cells, through which gases
diffuse in
and out of a leaf.
