SURVEY OF THE PLANT
KINGDOM
plant anatomy, morphology and physiology
Concepts and taxonomic characters
• Taxonomy: The science of classifying organisms in internationally-
shared classification systems.
• A hierarchical system is used which places organisms in an organized
manner from larger to smaller, more-specific categories.
• Seven categories are utilised starting with three large ones called
domains (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya) followed by kingdoms.
• This taxonomic system honors Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist,
zoologist, and physician who is the father of taxonomy.
CLASSIFICATION OF
LIVING AND EXTINCT
ORGANISMS
CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING AND EXTINCT
ORGANISMS
• The taxonomic classification system (the Linnaean system) undergoes
changes with time as techniques are discovered and refined.
• The current use of genetic analysis in phylogeny involves the use of
the molecular sequences of amino acids as well as those
of nucleotides in nucleic acids.
• A close similarity in molecule sequences indicates a closer relationship
of the groups.
• A wide difference indicates a different evolutionary history and
ancestry.
Plant Classification
• Classification of plants attempts to present them in an orderly manner which can be
artificial, natural or phylogenetic (phyletic).
• Artificial classification
• Utilises a single or few characters to group the organisms (e.g. colour, or plant habit). It
does not indicate the relationships between various taxa.
• Natural classification
• Group together organisms with many similar characteristics. They utilise characteristics
based on anatomy, morphology, cytology, ecology, biochemistry, genetics, and
distribution and further identify the organisms by species, genera, and families.
• Phyletic/Phylogenetic classification
• It is a natural classification that utilises the evolutionary history (the phylogeny) of a taxa.
It is based on plant anatomy and morphology in addition to the more modern techniques
of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Plant Nomenclature
• A binomial nomenclature is used in the classification of plants. It gives
every species a two-part latinised scientific name.
• The first part of a scientific name is called the genus. The second part
of a scientific name is the specific epithet.
• Basic rules in this system are as follows:
1. The entire two-part name must be written in italics (or underlined
when handwritten).
2. The genus name is always written first.
3. The genus name must be capitalized.
4. The specific epithet is never capitalized.
Example of classifying the prairie sunflower
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Asteridae
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae – Aster family
Genus Helianthus. L - Sunflower
Species Helianthus petiolaris – Prairie
DIVISION ANTHOCEROPHYTA
• Anthocerotophyta consists of Hornworts whose key physical feature
is irregular lobed or branching bodies, known as thalli (singular
Thallus), the tissue of which is not organised into organs.
• They need aqueous surroundings for spores to carry out sexual
reproduction.
• Initially they were placed into the division Bryophyta that comprised
of hornworts, liverworts and mosses.
• However, molecular studies have found that the three are not
monophyletic (sharing an ancestor) and are now placed in separate
divisions.
Hornworts
DIVISION
HEPATOPHYTA
• Commonly referred to
as Liverworts.
• They are either made up
of a thallus or of leafy
stems.
• The plant body does not
have ribs (costas).
DIVISION
CHLOROPHYTA
(Eukaryotic Algae)
• Commonly referred to as
Green Algae.
• Examples: Chlorella,
Chlamydomonas,
Spirogyra and Green
Seaweeds
• General Characteristics:
• Has chlorophylls a&b
• Storage product is starch
• Cellulose cell walls;
(organic scales)
DIVISION
BRYOPHYTA
• Also referred to as
Mosses.
• A key feature is that
they have thin stems
around which simple
leaves branch out.
• Moss leaves frequently
have a midrib
DIVISION
EQUISETOPHYTA
• Also known as
Horsetails
DIVISION LYCOPODIOPHYTA
CLUB MOSSES SPIKE MOSSES QUILL WORTS
DIVISION PSILOPHYTA
•Psilophyta (Whisked ferns)
DIVISION PTERIDOPHYTA
•(Ferns)
SUPER DIVISION SPERMATOPHYTA
(Seeded plants)
• DIVISION CYCADOPHYTA (cycads)
2. DIVISION GINGKOPHYTA
e.g. Ginkgo trees
3. DIVISION GNETOPHYTA
• Various types of plants such as
Welwitschia (Namibia)
4. DIVISION
CONIFEROPHYTA
• Conifers
5. DIVISION MAGNOLIOPHYTA
• Originally referred to as Angiosperms.
• They form the largest group of current green plants (80%).
• Thus, magnoliophytes are the most important ultimate source
of food for birds and mammals, including humans.
• In addition, they serve as a source of pharmaceuticals, fibre
products, timber, ornamentals, and other commercial
products.
5. MAGNOLIOPHYTA
•They are vascular seed plants in which the
ovule/seed is located and develops in an
enclosed ovary. The ovary may become a
fruit.
•The ovary itself is usually enclosed in a
flower that contains the male or female
reproductive organs or both.
PLANTAE KINGDOM CLASS EXERCISE
ONE (GROUP WORK)
• 1. Antherocophyta • 6. Psilophyta, Pteridophyta
• 2. Hepatophyta, Chlorophyta • 7. Cycadophyta, Gnetophyta
• 3. Bryophyta, • 8. Gingkophyta
• 4. Equisetophyta • 9. Coniferophyta
• 5 Lycopodiophyta • 10. Magnoliophyta
PLANTAE KINGDOM CLASS EXERCISE
ONE (GROUP WORK)
i. Select a division
ii. Outline its main general features
iii.Point out a key characteristic of the division
iv.Pick examples of families that you as class members probably
interact with
v. Describe any genus of environmental and economic significance in
human society
