Classify and describe vascular and nonvascular plants such as ferns, pine trees, and mosses. (Lesson 2)
Vascular plants are characterized by having specialized tissues known as xylem and phloem, which help transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. These plants include ferns and pine trees.
Ferns are a type of vascular plant known for their large, feathery leaves called fronds. They reproduce by producing spores on the underside of their fronds, which can germinate into new plants.
Pine trees are another type of vascular plant that are characterized by their needle-like leaves and cone-bearing reproductive structures. They have a woody stem and are able to grow to great heights due to their vascular tissues that provide structural support and transport nutrients.
Nonvascular plants, such as mosses, do not have specialized vascular tissues like xylem and phloem. Instead, they rely on osmosis and diffusion to transport water and nutrients throughout their bodies.
Mosses are small, non-vascular plants that typically grow in moist environments. They reproduce by producing spores in capsules on the tips of their stalks. Mosses are able to survive on land due to their ability to retain water and nutrients from their surroundings.