Page 1: Introduction to Pteridophytes

Pteridophytes are a group of plants that includes ferns, horsetails, and club mosses. They share similarities with bryophytes but have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Key features of pteridophytes:

1. They are vascular plants with true tissues.
2. Their life cycle is dominated by the sporophyte generation.
3. They reproduce via spores and require water for fertilization.

The life cycle of pteridophytes involves gametophytes, which can be monoecious (hermaphroditic) or dioecious (separate male and female). Monoecious gametophytes have mechanisms to prevent self-fertilization, such as developing antheridia and archegonia at different times.

Pteridophytes can be homosporous (producing identical spores) or heterosporous (producing microspores and megaspores). Homosporous plants can develop both monoecious and dioecious gametophytes, while heterosporous plants always produce dioecious gametophytes.

Vocabulary: Gametophyte - The haploid, gamete-producing phase in the life cycle of plants.

Highlight: Pteridophytes have evolved strategies to prevent self-fertilization, which is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity.

Example: In heterosporous pteridophytes, microspores develop into male gametophytes, while megaspores develop into female gametophytes.