Plant groups and life on land

The idea

From algae to angiosperms, plant groups show structural changes for life on land: early plants relied on water for support and reproduction, while later groups evolved transport tissues, seeds and flowers.

A long road to land

Algae live in water. Flowering plants grow on dry land.

What changes do you think plants needed to live on land?

• Transport tissues, seeds and flowers
• No change at all
• Fewer cells

Up the ladder

Press Next step.

Changes for life on land

The plant groups show a series of structural changes. Early groups relied on water for support and reproduction. Later groups evolved transport tissues, then seeds, then flowers. Each group solves the problems of life in its own way.

From algae to angiosperms, plant groups show structural changes for life on land: early plants relied on water for support and reproduction, while later groups evolved transport tissues, seeds and flowers.

• Plant group | Change shown in the book
• Thallophyta | simple body in water or moist places
• Bryophyta | first steps on land, still need water
• Pteridophyta | transport tissues, xylem and phloem
• Gymnosperm | seeds, reproduction without water
• Angiosperm | flowers and fruits

Notes

Plant groups show structural changes for life on land: early plants relied on water, later groups evolved transport tissues, seeds and flowers.

Check yourself

Early plants relied on water for ...

Which feature first appeared in pteridophytes?

Which group freed reproduction from water by making seeds?

Which structures evolved in the angiosperms?

• support and reproduction — correct. Yes!
• making flowers. Flowers evolved later, in angiosperms.
• making seeds. Seeds evolved later, in gymnosperms.
• Seeds. Seeds are produced by gymnosperms. Pteridophytes produce no seeds.
• Transport tissues — correct. Yes!
• Flowers. Flowers belong to angiosperms.
• Bryophytes. Bryophytes require water for reproduction.
• Pteridophytes. Pteridophytes require aquatic conditions for reproduction and produce no seeds.
• Gymnosperms — correct. Yes!
• Flowers — correct. Yes!
• Rhizoids. Rhizoids are the root-like structures of bryophytes.
• Thallus. The thallus is the body of thallophytes.