PTERIDOSPERMS Meaning and
Definition
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Pteridosperms are an ancient group of seed-bearing plants that appeared during the late Devonian period and were dominant during the Carboniferous period, approximately 350 to 300 million years ago. The term "pteridosperm" is derived from the Greek words "ptero" meaning fern, and "sperm" meaning seed. This classification refers to the fern-like appearance of these plants and their ability to produce seeds.
Pteridosperms are characterized by their large, compound leaves called fronds, which are similar in shape to ferns but possess elongated leaflets. These plants reproduced by means of seeds, which were enclosed in structures called ovules that were borne on the fronds or branches. The seeds produced by pteridosperms were heterosporous, meaning they developed from two different types of spores: microspores that gave rise to male gametophytes and megaspores that developed into female gametophytes.
During their prime, pteridosperms were widespread across tropical and subtropical regions, and they played a significant role in the formation of coal deposits during the Carboniferous period. However, the group eventually became extinct by the end of the Permian period, which is largely attributed to environmental changes and competition with other plant groups.
In summary, pteridosperms were ancient seed-bearing plants resembling ferns that flourished during the Carboniferous period. They possessed large fronds and reproduced using seeds enclosed in ovules. Pteridosperms played a vital ecological role in the past and have contributed to our understanding of plant evolution and the Earth's history.
Common Misspellings for PTERIDOSPERMS
- -pteridosperm
- pteridosparm
- pteridosperma
Etymology of PTERIDOSPERMS
The word "pteridosperms" originated from the combination of two Greek words: "pteris" meaning fern, and "sperma" meaning seed.
"Pteris" is derived from the Greek word "pteron" which means wing or feather, referring to the fronds of a fern that resemble a feather or a wing.
"Sperma" is related to the Greek word "sperma" which means seed or offspring.
Thus, the term "pteridosperms" combines these two Greek words to describe a group of plants that includes extinct seed-bearing ferns, indicating their fern-like fronds and the presence of seeds.
