Angiosperms


Angiosperms are flowering plants. Reproduction is always sexual, and involves a process called pollination. Unlike gymnosperms, angiosperms have seeds that are protected with an outer wall, that develop into structures called fruit. There are over a quarter of a million species of angiosperms all around the world. Angiosperms have evolved specialized tissues that permits them to live through extreme heat, cold and long periods of drought.


There are two types of angiosperms:


Monocots

• Have one seed leaf
• Veins lie parallel to one another
• Petals and flower parts are found in multiples of three
• Have vascular bundles throughout the stem composed of xylem and 
  phloem tissues
  
  
  

  Monocot

Here we have a Monocot Angiosperm. You can tell that it's a monocot because it has 6 petals, which is a multiple of 3.

Dicots

• Have two seed leaves
• Veins lie in a branching network
• Petals and flower parts are found in multiples of four or five
• Have vascular bundles arranged in a ring near the outside of the stem composed of xylem and 
  phloem tissues

                   Dicot

Here we have a Dicot Angiosperm. You can tell that it's a dicot because it has five petals.

Alternation of Generations

This is a diagram explaining how angiosperms reproduce through alternation of generations. Compared to all of the plants we've looked at before, angiosperms spend the least amount of time in the haploid stage. We are accustomed to seeing angiosperms in the diploid stage with all of the beautiful flowers that blossom during the spring.

 Corn, wheat, lilies, daffodils, orchids, and palms are specimens that are Monocots. Roses, clover, tomatoes, oaks, and daisies are specimens that are Dicots.

Similar to gymnosperms, angiosperms also have many contributing assets that aid in survival in a land environment. 

The flower is essential for reproduction, as it is where pollination takes place. It is easy for angiosperms to reproduce on land because water is no longer essential; pollinators are. 

Pollen, fruit, roots, stems, leaves, and vascular tissues aid life on land in the same way as gymnosperms. Also, enclosed seeds permit these plants to survive harsh conditions, and to only start growing once conditions are ideal.