gametophyte Haploid generation of the alteration of generations life cycle; produces ga-
metes.
gymnosperms Seed plant where seeds are not enclosed by a fruit.
nonvascular plants Plants that do not have vascular tissue to conduct food and water.
sporophyte Diploid generation of the alteration of generations; produces haploid spores.
stomata Small pores on the underside of leaves that can regulate the passage of gasses
and moisture.
vascular tissue Tissues that conduct food, water, and nutrients in plants.
Points to Consider
- Can you think of examples of plants that do not have seeds?
- If a plant does not have seeds, how can it reproduce?
10.2 Lesson 10.2: Seedless Plants
Lesson Objectives
- Name examples of nonvascular seedless plants.
- Name examples of vascular seedless plants.
- Explain the reproduction strategies of seedless plants.
- Describe the ways seedless plants impact humankind.
Check Your Understanding
- What is a plant?
- How are plants classified?
Introduction
What might you think a forest would have looked like millions of years ago? Or tens of mil-
lions of years ago? Or hundreds of millions of years ago? Probably very different than today.
In this lesson the focus will be on the very first and most ancient plants: the nonvascular