GYMNOSPERM

D.Devi
CHARACTERS:-

• These are naked seeded plants, these are seed

bearing(spermetophyte) where the ovules are not
enclosed in an ovary hence the seeds are naked.
• The term gymnosperm was introduced by Theophrastus.
• The plant is sporophyte (2n).
• They may be moderated sized (ginkgo) or palm like
(cycas) or tall trees.
• The tallest gymnosperm sequoia.
• The plant body is differenciated into root stem and
leaves.
• The roots are mostly taproots but they become
associated with other organisms like
1. Pinus root harbour fungi and form mycorrhyza
2.In Cycas the root cortical cells harbour
cyanobacteria like nostoc, anabaena etc and the roots
are specialised for nitrogen fixation. They are much
branched, superficial and are called coralloid roots
• The stem is unbranched in cycas, dichotomously branched
in ginkgo and profusely branched in pinus.
• The leaves are simple in gnetum and gingko, needle like
in pinus, pinnately compound in cycas.
• Leaves show xerophytic adaptations like thick cuticle,
sunken stomata, needle like leaves to reduce the surface
area for transpiration.
• Gymnosperms are heterosporous the smaller
microspores(male) and the larger megaspores (female)
• At maturity certain leaves become modified into
sporophylls.
• Sporophylls are compactly arranged in to cones or strobili.
• Sporophylls are of 2 types
1. Microsporophylls
2. Megasporophylls
• Microsporophylls are compactly arranged on a central
axis to form a male cone, they bear sporangia, where
microspore mother cells undergo meiosis to form
microspores
• Megasporophylls are compactly arranged in to female
cone(in cycas they remain free and no female cone is
formed).They bear megasporangia (ovule) where
megasporemother cells undergo meiosis to form
megaspores.
• The male and female cone may occur on the same
plant(monoecious) eg: pinus or different plants
(dioecoius) eg: cycas.
• The megasporangium mainly consists of a body called
nucellus, protected by integuments.
• A megasporemother cell is differentiated from a cell of
nucellus that undergo meiosis to form a tetrad of
megaspores, of which 3d generates. The functional
megaspore develops into a multicellular female
gametophyte.
• 2-8 archegonia become differentiated and each contains
one female gamete.
• The pollengrains are brought to the surface of nucellus
during pollination.
• Each pollengrain germinate to form male gamates that are
carried by the pollentube and discharged at the mouth of
archegonia.
• Fertilization results in a zygote, which developed into
an embryo. The ovule become transformed into seed.
• The male and female gametophyte do not have an
independent existence.
• Gymnosperm exhibits a diplontic life cycle and
alternation of generation.
Economic importance:-
• Conifers provide soft wood for construction , packing
paper industry etc.
• Pinus is the main source of turpentine.
• Seeds of pinus gerardiana(chilgoza) are edible.
• Ephedrine a drug obtained from ephedra is used for
curing respiratory trouble and asthma.
• Sawdust of conifers is used for making linoleum and
plastics.
THANK YOU