Great assignment for biology chapter "plant kingdom" for neet"

 Kingdom Plantae

Defining Characteristics of Kingdom Plantae

Classification System of Kingdom Plantae

Cryptogams and Phanerogams – A Classification

Understanding the Plant Kingdom – Kingdom Plantae

 

The Five Kingdom classification system was introduced by R.H. Whittaker. It organizes living organisms based on various characteristics such as cellular structure, nutrition mode, body organization, reproduction method, and phylogenetic relationship. The five kingdoms are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

In this discussion, we will focus on the plant kingdom, also known as Kingdom Plantae.

We will delve deeper into the plant kingdom with the help of the notes provided here for a better understanding of the topic.

Further reading: Kingdom Animalia, Plantae And Viruses

Plant Kingdom – Plantae

All plants belong to the Kingdom Plantae. These are eukaryotic, multicellular, and autotrophic organisms. The plant cell is characterized by a rigid cell wall . Plants possess chloroplasts and chlorophyll pigment, both essential for photosynthesis.

kingdom exhibits the following characteristic features:

They are non-motile.

They are autotrophs, capable of making their own food.

They reproduce asexually through vegetative propagation or sexually.

Plants are multicellular eukaryotes with plant cells containing an outer cell wall and a large central vacuole.

They contain photosynthetic pigments called chlorophyll located in the plastids.

They possess different organelles for anchorage, reproduction, support, and photosynthesis.

The plant kingdom is subdivided into smaller groups. The classification is based on the following criteria:

Plant body: Determined by the presence or absence of a well-differentiated plant body. For example, Root, Stem, and Leaves.

Vascular system: Determined by the presence or absence of a vascular system for the transport of water and other substances. For example, Phloem and Xylem.

Seed formation: Determined by the presence or absence of flowers and seeds and whether the seeds are naked or enclosed in a fruit.

More to Read: Seed And Fruit Formation – Seed Dispersal

The plant kingdom has been divided into five subgroups based on the above-mentioned criteria:

Thallophyta

Bryophyta

Pteridophyta

Gymnosperms

Angiosperms

Thallophyta

Thallophytes do not have a well-differentiated body structure, and the plant body is thallus-like.

Thallophytes

Thallophyta includes plants with primitive and simple body structures. The plant body is a thallus, they may be filamentous, colonial, branched, or unbranched. Examples include green algae, red algae, and brown algae. Some common examples are Volvox, Fucus, Spirogyra, Chara, Polysiphonia, Ulothrix, and others.

Explore More: Thallophytes

Bryophyta

 

Bryophytes

Bryophytes lack vascular tissues. The plant body exhibits root-like, stem-like, and leaf-like structures. Bryophytes are terrestrial plants but are known as the "amphibians of the plant kingdom" as they require water for sexual reproduction. They are found in moist and shady places. Bryophyta includes mosses, hornworts, and liverworts. Some common examples are Marchantia, Funaria, Sphagnum, Antheoceros, and others.

Extended Reading: Bryophyta

Pteridophyta

Pteridophytes have a well-differentiated plant body divided into root, stem, and leaves. They possess a vascular system for the conduction of water and other substances. Some common examples are Selaginella, Equisetum, Pteris, and others.

Pteridophytes

More Details: Pteridophyta

Gymnosperms

 

Gymnosperms: Vascular plants that possess "exposed" seeds

Gymnosperms possess a well-differentiated plant body and vascular tissues. They bear naked seeds, i.e., seeds are not enclosed within a fruit. Some common examples of gymnosperms are Cycas, Pinus, Ephedra, and others.

Angiosperms

Angiosperms: Vascular plants that possess special characteristics such as flowers and fruits

Angiosperms are seed-bearing vascular plants with a well-differentiated plant body. The seeds of angiosperms are enclosed within the fruits. Angiosperms are widespread and exhibit great size variation, e.g., Wolffia is small measuring about 0.1 cm, and Eucalyptus trees are around 100 m tall. Angiosperms are further divided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons according to the number of cotyledons present in the seeds. Some common examples are mango, rose, tomato, onion, wheat, maize, and others.

Further Reading: Angiosperms

Cryptogams and Phanerogams

The plant kingdom can also be classified into two groups:

Cryptogams – Non-flowering and non-seed bearing plants. E.g., Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta

Phanerogams – Flowering and seed-bearing plants. E.g., Gymnosperms, Angiosperms