Angiosperm vs Gymnosperm

Angiosperm vs Gymnosperm: 27 Differences, Examples

Definition of Angiosperm vs Gymnosperm

Angiosperm

Angiosperms, also referred to as blooming plants, are a part of the Angiospermae, or Magnoliophyta, which is the biggest and most varied group in the plant kingdom. The fruit that forms from the ovary of a flower contains seeds, which is how angiosperms are distinguished.

Gymnosperm

The seeds of plants classified as gymnosperms are distinguished by the fact that they are not contained in ovaries or fruits. Originating from the Greek terms “gymnos,” which means “naked,” and “sperma,” which means “seed,” the name “gymnosperm” refers to the exposed aspect of their seeds.

Key Differences of Angiosperm vs Gymnosperm

FeatureAngiospermsGymnospermsExamples (Angiosperms)Examples (Gymnosperms)
Seedscontained within a fruituncovered or nude, and not protected by a fruitOak, ApplePine and Fir
FlowersExisting; promote procreationNot presentLily and RoseNone
Fertilizationtwo fertilizationsonly one fertilizationTulip, SunflowerGinkgo, Cycad
Leaveswide, flat leavesLeaves that resemble needles or scalesMango, MapleCedar, Spruce
Vascular TissueSieve tubes in phloem, vessels in xylemSieve cells in phloem and tropheids in xylemWheat, ElmJuniper and Sequoia
Reproductive StructuresFruits and flowersCones, both female and maleOrchid, DaisyCones of pine and fir
Pollinationfrequently by animals, sporadically by windmostly by windPea, StrawberryLarch, and Hemlock
Seed Developmentinside an ovary that gives rise to a fruitdirectly on cones’ scalesPear, TomatoCypress, Yew
DiversityBiodiversity (around 300,000 species)Reduced (to about 1,000 species)Cycas, OakBamboo, Pine
Habitatincredibly varied environmentsmostly in boreal and temperate forestsGrass, Cactus
Redwood, Pine
Wood TypeHardwoodSoftwoodWalnut and BirchFir and Spruce
Reproduction CycleUsually shorterUsually lengthier
Poppy, Bluebell
Pine, Fir
Cotyledons (Seed Leaves)Usually one (monocots) or two (dicots)Typically, two or moreCorn (monocot), Bean (dicot)Pine and Ginkgo
Root Systemvaried (fibrious, taproot)mostly taprootTaproot carrot, fibrous grassPine and Cycad
Leaf Venationparallel or reticulate like a netprimarily parallelLily (parallel), Rose (net-like)Pine, Spruce
Pollen StructureComplicated
Simple
Apple, LilyPine, Fir
Ovule Enclosureconfined inside an ovaryNot includedCherry, AlmondCypress, Ginkgo
Primary Growthlarge-scale initial growthrestricted main growthOak, MaplePine, Fir
Secondary GrowthCurrently, broadExisting, although frequently restrictedOak, ElmPine, Redwood
Type of FruitReal fruitsNot a real fruitBerry, AppleNone
Resin CanalsUsually not presentRight nowNonePine, Spruce
Cambiumdeveloped cambium vasculareVaried cambium vascular less developedElm, BeechPine, Larch
Gametophyte DependenceReliant on the sporophyteless dependent on sporophyteTulip, PeaPine, Ginkgo
Embryo Sac8-nucleate sac of embryosmany nuclei in archegoniaWheat and DaisyPine, Cycad
Stomataimproved stomatal controlless effective control of stomataApple, BananaPine, Fir
Economic ImportanceHigh economic worth (medication, food, etc.)Economic value in the middle (wood, resin)Wheat, RicePine, Spruce
Ecological RoleIn most ecosystems, dominantdominating in forests with conifersOak, GrassPine, Spruce

Frequently Asked Question

1. What are the differences between angiosperms and gymnosperms with examples?

Another name for angiosperms is blooming plants. Within each ovary are seeds that are encased in tissue. It is often a fruit, however gymnosperms don’t have any flowers or fruits. Gymnosperm seeds are either “naked” or open on the outside of scales or leaves.

2. What are the main differences between a gymnosperm and angiosperm life cycle?

The female gametophyte is found on exposed bracts of the female cone in gymnosperms, but in angiosperms, it is contained in an enclosed structure called the ovule, which is located within the ovary. Gymnosperms do not undergo double fertilization, but angiosperms undergo this crucial stage in their lives.

3. Which character most differentiates angiosperms from gymnosperms?

angiosperms are also called as flowering plants. Seeds of angiosperms are enclosed in the ovary (usually a fruit). Gymnosperms do not have flowers or fruits. In gymnosperms, the ovules are not enclosed in an ovary.

4. What is the difference between male and female cones of gymnosperms?

The female cones are larger than the male cones and are positioned towards the top of the tree; the small, male cones are located in the lower region of the tree. Because the pollen is shed and blown by the wind, this arrangement makes it difficult for a gymnosperm to self-pollinate

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