Botany Studies Botany Studies – Botany is the study of plants and here you can get full educational definition and complete information related to botany. we provide full information about Plant Physiology, Plant Morphology, Plant Ecology, Plant Diversity, Plant Families, Photosynthesis And Botanical classification of plants
The fossil record shows that there are four major periods of plant evolution, which took place the history of evolution of earth. Since the first organism formed on earth. But before discussing the periods of evolution let’s discuss the basic concepts of evolution in plants diversity.
Major Periods of Plant Evolution
Basic Concept of Evolution in Plants Diversity
Nearly all plants reproduce sexually. Most plants are also capable of asexual propagation. Plants produce their gametes within gametangia. Gametangia has protective jackets of Sterile (non- reproductive) cells. It prevents the delicate gametes from drying during their development. The egg is fertilized within the female organ. The zygote develops into an embryo. Embryo is retained for some time within the jacket of protective cells.
Alternation of generation occurs in plants. The phenomenon in which haploid gametophyte generation and diploid sporophyte generation alternates with each other is called alternation of generation. It occurs in all plants. The sporophyte and gametophyte generations differ in morphology. So, they are heteromorphic. Diploid sporophyte is the more noticeable individual in all groups. There are two one main trend in the evolution of plants.
- There is trend towards reduction of haploid generation and dominance of diploid generation.
- There is replacement of flagellated sperm by pollen. It is an adaptation for terrestrial environment.
Major Periods of Plant Evolution
Four major periods of plant evolution are as follow:
First Period of Plant Evolution
Origin of Plant from Aquatic Ancestors: The first period of evolution was associated with the origin of plants from aquatic ancestors. Plants evolve from algae during the Silurian period about 425 million years ago. The first terrestrial adaptation was formation of cuticle and jacketed gametangia. It protects gametes and embryos. Then evolution of vascular tissue takes place. Vascular tissues consist of cells joined into tubes.
Vascular tissue transport nutrients throughout the plant. Vascular tissue evolved relatively early in plant history. Most mosses lack vascular tissue. Therefore, they are called non-vascular plants. However, water conducting tubes are present in some mosses. But it is not clear whether tubes of mosses are analogous or homologous to the water-conducting tissue of other plants.
Second Period of Plant Evolution
Diversification of Vascular Plants: The second major period of plant evolution was diversification of vascular plants during early Devonian period, about 400 million years ago. The earlier vascular plants lacked seeds. This condition is present in ferns and a few other groups of vascular plants.
Third Period of Plant Evolution
Evolution of Seed: The third major period of plant evolution begun with the origin of the seed. Some Seed protects embryo from desiccation and other hazards. A seed consists of an embryo packed ovule along with store of food within a protective covering. The first seed producing vascular plants arose about 360 million years ago, near end of Devonian period. These plants have naked seeds. They are not protected by covering. These plants are gymnosperm (conifers). They include pines and other cones. Gymnosperms coexisted with ferns and seedless plants for more than 200 million years.
Fourth Period of Plant Evolution
Evolution of Flowering Plants: Flowering plant evolved about 130 million years age during early Cretaceous period. The flower is a complex reproductive structure. Their seeds are protected within fruit. The flowering plants are called angiosperms.