Plantae Kingdom - Classification of Living Beings
Kingdom Plantae - Classification of living beings |
We can find various types of living beings in the environment. These vary in size from microscopic to giant structures. They do have different structures of cells, body structures, and other different characteristics. Based on that, Robert Harding Whittaker classified living beings into 5 kingdoms. They are listed below.
5 Kingdoms of Biosphere
- Monera,
- Fungi,
- Protista,
- Plantae, and
- Animalia
Among these five kingdoms, here we will discuss Plantae Kingdom.
Plantae Kingdom
In the Plantae kingdom, plants are classified into three major divisions. They are algae, bryophyta, and tracheophyta.
1. Algae
Activity: Study of Algae |
Objective: To identify characteristics of Algae Required: Bottle, Dropper, Glass Slide, Microscope, Cover Slip Procedure:
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Observation
Observe the following pictures and identify their characteristics.
We cannot distinguish the root, stem, and leaves of the plants shown above. The body of these plants is called a thallus. These plants contain cell walls and chlorophyll in their cell. They fall under the division Algae.
Characteristics of Algae:
Following are the characteristics of Algae
- These plants can be unicellular as well as multicellular.
- They contain chlorophyll and collect food as starch.
- The cell wall is made up of cellulose.
- They undergo sexual or asexual reproduction.
- These kinds of plants are usually found in moist areas, ponds, or rivers.
Examples: Volvox, Spirogyra, Fucus.
2. Bryophyta
Activity: Observation of Moss |
Objective: To identify characteristics of Bryophyta Required: Moss, Needle, Chart Paper Procedure: 1. Take a moss plant and observe different parts of the moss. 2. Note its characteristics based on observation. 3. Sketch a neat picture of moss on chart paper. 4. Find more characteristics from the internet. 5. Present the characteristics of Bryophyta based on observation and findings from the internet. 6. Discuss and prepare a list of characteristics of Bryophyta |
Observation
Observe the following pictures and identify their characteristics.
Bryophyta is well developed than algae. Marchantia has a thallus body, whereas moss has a less developed stem and leaves. They are green plants. They are amphibian plants, as water is needed for reproduction. They are also found in moist places.
Characteristics of Bryophyta
The following are the characteristics of Bryophyta:
- Bryophyta are multicellular plants.
- Bryophyta are autotrophs.
- Bodies of some Bryophyta are thallus, some are rhizoid and some are simple leaves.
- Bryophyta is found in moist and cold places.
- These plants do not have vascular tissue. So, they cannot grow tall and are only a few cm tall.
- Male and Female plants are different during the gametophyte condition. Male plants produce male gamete on antheridium and female plants produce female gamete on archegonium. The female gamete is also known as the ovum. Male gamet using water reaches to female gamet and mates to form a zygote which later forms into a sporophyte condition.
- The cycle of gametophytic and sporophytic processes in the life cycle of moss is also known as the alternation of generation. In the life cycle, gametophytic generation is long, dominant, and independent.
Examples: Marchantia, Moss, Riccia
3. Tracheophyta
Those plants which have distinct, root, stem and leaves fall under this classification. Different types of trees, from small to large trees fall into this division. They include both flowering and nonflowering plants. There are three subdivisions under Tracheophyta. They are:
- Pteridophyta
- Gymnosperm
- Angiosperm
Pteridophyta
Activity: Observation of Ferns |
Objective: To identify characteristics of Ferns. Required: Fern Plant, Chart Paper, Gum, etc. Procedure: 1. Bring a fern plant along with its root. 2. Carefully observe its root, stem, and leaves. 3. Note its characteristics based on observation. 4. Sketch a neat picture of Fern on the chart paper. 5. Discuss and prepare a list of characteristics of Ferns. |
Observation
Observe the following pictures and identify their characteristics
Ferns are found in moist and shady places. They bear spores, which fall on the ground to form gametes and reproduce. They have feather-like leaves.
Characteristics of Ferns
The following are the characteristics of Ferns:
- These plants are found in moist and shadowed places.
- They do not have seeds but they have distinct root, stem, and leaves.
- They have feather-like leaves, less-developed stems, and well-developed roots.
- They have developed vascular tissues such as the xylem and phloem.
- These plants contain many sori behind their leaves. They produce spores. Some of the plants do not produce spores. Those who produce spores are sporophytes and those who don’t produce spores are called tropophiles. These are also called sporophytes.
- Spores, when they fall on the ground germinate to form a gametophyte named prothallus. Gametophytes produce both male and female gamete for sexual reproduction.
- Alteration of generation occurs in the lifecycle of these plants, where the sporophytic process is long and dominant.
Examples – Fern, Ground Gooseberry, Tetris, etc.
Gymnosperm
Trees like Pine, fir, and cycas have cones instead of flowers and do not bear fruit but they have naked seeds. These trees are classified into sub-division gymnosperms.
Characteristics of Gymnosperms
- Gymnosperms are the first plants that produced seeds.
- These plants have cones instead of flowers. These are unisexual and the male cone differs from the female cone. Pollination occurs by the medium of air.
- The cones do not contain ovaries. Hence they do not bear fruits and have naked seeds.
- They have narrow, long, and needle-like leaves.
- The Stem of these plants is covered by thick barks.
- These are called coniferous plants as most of the plants are cone-shaped.
- The roots are spread in wide areas.
Examples – Pine, Fir, Cycas, Himalayan Cedar, etc.
Angiosperm
Angiosperm are those plants that bear flowers as well as fruits and the seeds are covered inside the fruit.
Characteristics of Angiosperms:
- These are the most developed plants of Kingdom Plantae.
- These are aquatic as well as terrestrial.
- They have well-developed roots, stems, leaves fruits, and seeds.
- They bear real flowers and the flowers contain ovules and ovaries.
- Some of the Angiosperm are unisexual whereas some are bisexual.
- Pollination occurs by the medium of air, water, or insects.
- Seeds of angiosperms are covered by the fruits.
Examples – Orange Tree, Banana Tree, Paddy Tree, Pistia, etc.
Angiosperms are further divided into two classes based on cotyledons inside their seeds.
They are:
A. Monocotyledons
Activity: Observation of Maize Plant Objectives: To identify characteristics of monocotyledons plants Requirements: Maize Plant, Chart Paper, Gum Procedure:
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Characteristics of Monocotyledons Plants
- The leaves of monocotyledon plants contain parallel venation.
- Stems are usually hollow with nodes in between them. Branches and Leaves are developed from the nodes.
- Vascular Bundles are presented in the stem, which is made up of xylem and phloem tissues.
- Parts of flowers are either three or multiple of three.
- The seeds are enclosed by the fruits and contain only one cotyledon.
- They are aquatic as well as terrestrial.
Examples – Maize Plant, Sugarcane Plant, wheat Plant, etc.
B. Dicotyledons
Activity – Observation of Gram Plant |
Objective: To identify characteristics of dicotyledon plants Requirement: Gram Plant, Gram Seeds, Chart paper, Gum Procedure:
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Characteristics of Dicotyledons Plants
- These types of plants vary from small shrubs to large trees.
- The roots are of the tap root system.
- Stems are thick and solid. Nodes are not presented uniformly.
- The vascular Bundle lies inside stems in the form of rings.
- They have simple or compound type of leaves with petioles. They have reticulate Venation.
- Parts of flowers are either four to five or multiple. Flowers are either unisexual or bisexual.
- They undergo self-pollination as well as cross-pollination.
- Seeds are enclosed by the fruits and contain two cotyledons.
Examples – Gram plant, Pumpkin Plant, Peas Plant, etc.
Activity – Classification of Plants |
Objectives – To classify plants found nearby Requirements – Various Plants Procedure:
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Conclusion
This was all about the classification of the Plantae kingdom. Hope this will help you. After completion of this, you'll be able to:
- Classify plants into different groups and divisions
- Differentiate between Alage, Bryophyta, and Tracheophyta.
- Differentiate between Pteridophyta, Angiosperms, and Gymnosperms
- Differentiate between monocotyledons and dicotyledons.