Diversity in Living Organisms — Science STD 9 — Question

The division Spermatophyta (sperma = seed, phyton = plant), as the name suggests, includes all seed bearing plants. It has been divided into two sub divisions Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. The sub-division Gymnosperms (gymno = naked, sperma = seed) includes simpler and primitive plants of the division Spermatophyta.

1. Gymnosperms: The gymnosperms are seed producing land plants. However, the seeds are not enclosed in fruits. Most of them have now become extinct and only about 900 species are known to be surviving. The living gymnosperms are widely distributed in the cold climates where snow, rather than rain, is the source of water. Only one group called cycads thrive in warmer regions.

Example: Pinus.

2. Angiosperms: Angiosperms represent the most advanced group of vascular plants. They are commonly called 'Flowering plants'. They exceed all other major groups of living plants in number and diversity.

Example: Sunflower.