2. Biodiversity of plants
Study & Master Life Sciences Learner's Book Page 88 - 114
- 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.