Use app×
Join Bloom Tuition
One on One Online Tuition
JEE MAIN 2025 Foundation Course
NEET 2025 Foundation Course
CLASS 12 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 10 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 9 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 8 FOUNDATION COURSE
0 votes
606 views
in Plant Kingdom by (51.0k points)
closed by

Point out the general characters of Gymnosperms.

1 Answer

+1 vote
by (50.3k points)
selected by
 
Best answer

General characteristic features: 

1. Most of the gymnosperms are evergreen woody trees or shrubs. Some are lianas (Gnetum) 

2. The plant body is sporophyte and is differentiated into root, stem and leaves. 

3. A well developed Tap root system is present. Coralloid Roots of Cycas have symbiotic association with blue green algae. In Pinus the roots have mycorrhizae. 

4. The stem is aerial, erect and branched or unbranched (Cycas) with leaf scars. 

5. In conifers two types of branches namely branches of limited growth (Dwarf shoot) and Branches of unlimited growth (Long shoot) is present.

6. Leaves are dimorphic, foliage and scale leaves are present. Foliage leaves are green, photosynthetic and borne on branches of limited growth. They show xerophytic features. 

7. The xylem consists of tracheids but in Gnetum and Ephedra vessels are present. 

8. Secondary growth is present. The wood may be Manoxylic (Porous, soft, more parenchyma with wide medullary ray – Cycas) or Pycnoxylic (compact with narrow medullary ray – Pinus).

9. They are Heterosporous. The plant may be monoecious (Pinus) or dioecious (Cycas). 

10. Microsporangia and Megasporangia are produced on Microsporophyll and Megasporophyll respectively. 

11. Male and female cones are produced. 

12. Anemophilous pollination is present. 

13. Fertilization is siphonogamous and pollen tube helps in the transfer of male nuclei. 

14. Sporne (1965) classified gymnosperms into 3 classes, 9 orders and 31 families. The classes include

  • Cycadospsida 
  • Coniferopsida 
  • Gnetopsida.

Welcome to Sarthaks eConnect: A unique platform where students can interact with teachers/experts/students to get solutions to their queries. Students (upto class 10+2) preparing for All Government Exams, CBSE Board Exam, ICSE Board Exam, State Board Exam, JEE (Mains+Advance) and NEET can ask questions from any subject and get quick answers by subject teachers/ experts/mentors/students.

...