Summary
Multicellular, mostly photosynthetic eukaryotes with cellulose walls, from mosses to flowering plants.
In depth
Main groups: bryophytes (mosses, no vascular tissue), pteridophytes (ferns, seedless vascular), gymnosperms (naked seeds) and angiosperms (flowering plants, over 300,000 species). Adaptations for land: cuticle, stomata, vascular tissue and seeds.
Plants evolved from freshwater green algae about 470 million years ago.
Plants alternate between a haploid gametophyte and a diploid sporophyte. Key evolutionary steps are the waxy cuticle (water retention), lignified vascular tissue (height and transport), seeds (dispersal and protection) and flowers with fruit (efficient pollination).
Remember: algae are not plants, although green algae are their closest relatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is Plant Kingdom?
Multicellular, mostly photosynthetic eukaryotes with cellulose walls, from mosses to flowering plants.
Which area of biology covers Plant Kingdom, and how advanced is it?
Plant Kingdom is one of the 56 topics in Plant Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Plant Phylogeny, Alternation of Generations, Algal Blooms and Plant Evolution.
Can you give an example of Plant Kingdom?
Conifers are gymnosperms with seeds in cones.
What should I learn before Plant Kingdom?
Plant Kingdom is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Plant Biology that pair well with it include Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll, Roots.
What topics are related to Plant Kingdom?
The closest topics to Plant Kingdom are Plant Phylogeny, Alternation of Generations, Algal Blooms and Plant Evolution, Xylem. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Plant Kingdom?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Plant Kingdom. To practise the whole of Plant Biology, use the Plant Biology quiz.
How is Plant Kingdom different from Plant Phylogeny?
Plant Kingdom: Multicellular, mostly photosynthetic eukaryotes with cellulose walls, from mosses to flowering plants. Plant Phylogeny: Mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms form lineages tracing the conquest of land. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Plant Kingdom step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Plant Phylogeny and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Plant Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.