Angiosperms and gymnosperms are seed-bearing plants. They have natural ability to produce seeds surrounded by nutritive tissue and coated with a seed coat. Gymnosperm plants were present 200 million years before the angiosperm plants.
The main difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms is the diversity. The diversity of angiosperm is greater than the gymnosperm. The higher diversity indicated the angiosperms are adaptive to terrestrial ecosystems. Another characteristic of angiosperms is the flowers and production of fruits. But, in gymnosperms seed are not included in a fruit.
Angiosperm
The word angiosperm derived from Greek meaning container. As the name suggests the angiosperms is a plant which bears seeds in fruits or mature ovaries. Angiosperm forms flower that carries reproductive organs and fruits. These plants are more adaptive to the terrestrial ecosystem and can be found widespread on earth, around 250000 species have been identified of this class.
Few examples, fruit trees like Mango, Apple, Banana, Peach, Cherry, Orange, Pear and more. Plants with nightshade family like Petunias, Eggplant, Tomato, Peppers. While, in grass family wheat, corn, rice, and sugarcane.
Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms are other types of plant that bear seeds directly on sporophylls or naked seeds without covering. There are very fewer species of gymnosperms, few examples of are cypress, Gnetum, pine, spruce, redwood, ginkgo, cycads, juniper, fir, and Welwitschia.
The main reason for being very fewer species is the lack of protection of seeds. The seeds are naked and unprotected when released. They need to get into the ground quickly to take root or they will be damaged by animals or weather conditions.
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Difference Between Angiosperm and Gymnosperm |
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Angiosperm |
Gymnosperm |
| Seed is produced by flowering plants and is enclosed within ovary | Seed is produced by non-flowering plants and are unenclosed or naked. |
| The lifecycle of these plants are seasonal | These plants are evergreen |
| Has triploid tissue | Has haploid tissue |
| Leaves are flat in shape | Leaves are scalelike and needle-like in shape |
| Hardwood type | Softwood type |
| Reproduction rely on animals | Reproduction rely on wind |
| Reproductive system present in flowers (unisexual or bisexual) | Reproductive system present in cones and are unisexual |
Stay tuned with BYJU’S to know more about the Angiosperms , gymnosperms and their comparisons
