The plant kingdom: examples, basic systematic categories and features of their structure

Compare the systematic categories of the Kingdom of plants, give examples of these organisms, indicate the peculiarities of their structure ... If you are at a loss with such tasks, our article will help you to understand this issue.

Signs of the Kingdom of Plants

All organisms inhabiting our planet, scientists united in the Kingdom of living nature. Plants, examples of which we consider in our article, have their own distinctive features. First of all, this is an autotrophic way of feeding. Only plants are able to produce organic matter and oxygen from water and carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight. The place where this complex photochemical process occurs, called photosynthesis, is the green organelles of plant cells - chloroplasts.

Characteristic features of the representatives of this Kingdom is the attached way of life, unlimited growth that lasts throughout life, and the presence of carbohydrate starch as a spare nutrient.

Systematics of plants

The systematic categories of the Kingdom of plants, examples of which will be examined by us later, are created on the basis of common features of the structure. Initially, they are united into two large groups: the lower and the higher. The body of the first consists of numerous unspecialized cells that do not form tissue, and is called the thallus. And the higher ones have a complex leaf-building structure.

Lower plants

These are the simplest organisms that represent the kingdom of plants. Examples of them are known to all. This is kelp, or sea kale, sorgassum, chlamydomonada, ulotriks, volvox, spirogyra. Among them there are single, multicellular and colonial organisms. They all live in water. In addition to the thallus, which represents the undifferentiated body of algae, they have rhizoids. These structures partially perform the function of the roots, but do not form tissues, which is what distinguishes them. Since the water itself supports the shape of the thallus, the algae lack mechanical tissues.

Higher plants

Plants that form real tissues and organs are called higher. The first representatives who came out of the water on land are representatives of the disputed. These are mosses, mosses, horsetails and ferns. Instead of rhizoids, some of them have a friable root system that grows in a bundle on an underground modified shoot. They reproduce by means of cells of asexual reproduction - a dispute. Another characteristic feature is the alternation of generations in their life cycle. More difficultly arranged seed plants, it gave them the opportunity to take a dominant position on the planet.

The plant kingdom: examples and classification

Reproduction with the help of seeds gives plants a better chance of surviving in adverse environmental conditions. Let's consider their features on the example of coniferous trees. They are representatives of the Gymnosperms department. Their characteristic features are the presence of thin leaves of needles and pitching strokes in the trunk. And distinctive - the arrangement of seeds on scales of cones is bare or open. Hence their name comes. Of course, if they are in conditions of low temperatures or lack of moisture, not all of them will germinate. But, unlike the spores, the seeds are multicellular structures and have reserve nutrients - endosperm.

In more advantageous position are the angiosperms. They form a flower and a fruit in which the development and maturation of seeds takes place. This structure serves as additional protection, a source of heat and nutrition. The Department of Angiosperms unites two classes: Single and Dicotyledons. The first have one cotyledon in the bud, a friable root system, simple linear leaves. These include representatives of families of cereals, onions and lily. All of them are herbaceous plants due to the absence of cambium - a lateral educational tissue. More diverse and numerous Dicotyledons. In addition to the number of cotyledons, they are distinguished by a root system of the rod type, both complex and simple leaves, the presence of cambium. Among them there are grasses, bushes, and trees. They most widely represent the Kingdom of plants. Examples of the most common are Rosaceae, Cabbage, Nightshade, Astro, Legumes.

Importance of representatives of the vegetable kingdom

The importance of all the representatives of plants is difficult to overestimate, because they provide all living with the necessary condition of life - oxygen. Algae are the starting material for the production of biologically active substances, medicines, food additives and paints. Gymnosperms are famous for the presence of phytoncides and valuable wood. Man uses fruits and parts of flowering plants.

Thus, the plant kingdom, examples and systematic features of which were considered in our article, is distinguished by an accurate hierarchy of development, diversity and plays a crucial role in the life of the planet.