2. Biodiversity of plants

1. Core Content

Biodiversity of Plants (Focus on the Developmental Lines and Not on In-Depth Studies of Life Cycles. Learners should have a basic understanding of Phylogenetic Trees as reconstructions of evolutionary pathways) and cladograms.

Grouping of bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms according to the presence/absence of:

- vascular tissue (xylem and phloem)

- true leaves and roots

- seeds or spores

- fruit.

Decreasing dependence on water for reproduction from Bryophytes to Angiosperms

Reproduction in Plants

• Asexual and sexual reproduction, name advantages and disadvantages of each.

• Flowers as reproductive structures

Adaptations for pollination through (different pollinators) wind, insects and birds (South African examples only) differences and similarities.

• The Significance of Seeds

- seed banks;

- seeds as a food source; and

- endemic species in South Africa.

3. Relevant video resources