BIOLOGY [5 Mark Question Answer]

Characteristics of pteridophytes (ferns) are:
(a) These are non-flowering plants which do not produce seeds.
(b) These plants grow in damp and shady areas.
(c) The leaves are feather like and called fronds. (Pteron means feather and phyton means plants). They are divided into leaflets.
(d) They reproduce through spores bom on the lower side of fronds in small rounded brown structures called sori.
(e) The plants either have underground stems called rhizome or stems above the ground.

Xerophytes
a. These are plants that grow on dry land like deserts where there is scarcity of water.
b. Leaves are reduced to spines to minimise the loss of water.
c. Roots are long and reach deep layers of the soil.
d. e.g. Cactus, babul.
Hydrophytes :
a. These plants need maximum water to grow and hence live in water.
b. Leaves have a waxy coating to protect themselves from water.
c. Roots are very reduced as water is available in plenty.
d. e.g. Hydrilla, lotus.

Flowering plants
a. Flowering plants bear seeds and fruits.
b. They are also called as phanerogams.
c. They are fiirther divided into gymnosperms and angjosperms.
d. e.g. Mango plant, wheat plant.
Non-flowering plants:
a. Non-flowering plants do not produce flowers and seeds.
b. They are also called as cryptogams.
c. They are further divided into Bryophyta, Thallophyta and Pteridophyta.
d. e.g. Ferns, mosses, mushroom.