The document discusses reproduction in seedless plants such as ferns and moss. It explains that seedless plants reproduce sexually through spores rather than seeds. The life cycle of seedless plants involves two stages: the gametophyte stage where haploid cells are produced, and the sporophyte stage where fertilization occurs resulting in diploid cells. Specifically, sporophytes produce spores that mature into gametophytes which then produce gametes that fuse to form new sporophytes, demonstrating the alternation of generations life cycle common to seedless plants.

1. Plant Reproduction: Seedless Plants8SCIENCE: Mon. Mar. 7thand Tues. Mar. 8th

2. Review: What are the different types of plant reproduction?Sexual reproductionAre these cells haploid or diploid?Asexual reproductionAre these cells haploid or diploid?Today we are learning about reproduction in seedless plants by SPORESWhich type of reproduction produces spores?SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

3. What types of plants are seedless?Ferns and mossFound in cool, moist, shaded areas in the forestUsually grow near the ground Reproduce sexually by SPORES

4. Life Cycles of Seedless Plants (Ferns and Moss)Plants reproduce and have a life cycleEx: one stage is reproductionPlants have a life cycle with 2 stagesGAMETOPHYTE STAGEGametes = sex cells, phyte = plantSPOROPHYTE STAGESporo = spores, phyte = plant

5. Life Cycles: Plant StagesGAMETOPHYTE stage Reproduction: where cells go through the process of meiosisHAPLOID cells (HALF the number of chromosomes)SPOROPHYTE stageFertilization: when haploid cells combineDIPLOID cells (DOUBLE the number of chromosomes)

6. Life Cycles: Plant StagesWhen a plant’s life cycle alternates (changes) between gametophyte and sporophyte stages, this is called: ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONSThis means that the plant changes between the two stages:Sporophytes produce sporesWhen the spores mature, they are called gametophytes because they produce the sex cells (gametes) and once the gametes combine, produce the sporophyte again!

7. Life Cycles: Plant StagesIn ferns, spores are produced in structures called SORIThese are found on the underside of leavesRed – brown or black colored bumps These cells have gone through meiosis to form spores and each one can grow into a new plant!