Classification of plants: examples and characteristics of the main systematic groups

All the plants that exist on the planet are so numerous and diverse that scientists have tried to systematize them more than once. To this end, they divided the flora into different species and groups. The basis of this kind of sorting is based on their main characteristics. In our article, a systematic classification of plants will be presented. In addition, their main features and structural features will be indicated.

Classification of plants: examples and signs

First of all, it should be said that the plants are organisms capable of autotrophic nutrition. They independently produce an organic substance - carbohydrate glucose in the process of photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and water. This process occurs in chloroplasts - green plastids. But under one condition: if there is sunlight. The biological name of this action is photosynthesis. This is the main characteristic characterizing the kingdom of plants, the classification of which is based on the features of their structure within the evolution process. Its founder is Jean Baptiste Lamarque, who introduced double (binary) species names. Classification of plants (table with examples) is given at the end of this article.

Lower plants

The first and most primitive plants that arose in the course of evolution are algae. They are also called inferior. This is also a systematic classification of plants. Examples of this group: chlamydomonada, chlorella, spirogyra, kelp, sargassum, etc. The lower plants are united by the fact that their body is formed by separate cells that do not create tissues. It is called thallus or thallus. The roots of algae are also absent. Filamentous formations of rhizoids perform the function of attachment to the substrate. Visually they resemble roots, but differ from them by the lack of tissues.

Higher plants

Now consider the types of plants, the classification of which is based on the complexity of the structure. These are the so-called first people on land. To live in this environment, we need developed mechanical and conducting tissues. The first terrestrial plants - rhinophytes - were small organisms. They were deprived of leaves and roots, but had some tissues: primarily mechanical and conducting, without which the life of plants on land is impossible. Their body consisted of aboveground and underground parts, however, instead of roots there were rhizoids. Reproduction of rhinophytes occurred with the help of cells of asexual reproduction - a spore. Paleontologists say that the first higher terrestrial plants arose 400 million years ago.

Higher spore plants

The modern classification of plants, examples of which are given in the article, suggests the complication of their structure in connection with adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Mosses, mosses, horsetails and ferns belong to the first terrestrial organisms. They reproduce with the help of a dispute. In the life cycle of these plants, there is an alternation of generations: sexual and asexual, with the predominance of one of them.

Higher seed plants

This vast group of plants unites organisms that multiply generically with the help of a seed. It is more complicated than the disputes. The seed consists of an embryo, surrounded by a reserve nutrient, and peels. It protects the future organism from unfavorable conditions during development. Due to this structure, the seed has more chances to develop and germinate, although for this specific conditions are necessary: the presence of heat, sufficient amount of solar energy and moisture. This group unites two departments: holo - and angiosperm species.

Gymnosperms

The characteristic features of this unit is the absence of flowers and fruits. Seeds develop on scales of cones openly, i.e., holo. Therefore, the plants of this group also received such a name. Most gymnosperms are represented by conifers. They are characterized by the apical growth of the shoot, the presence of special moves filled with resin and essential oils. Needle leaves of these plants are called needles. Their stomata are also filled with resin, which prevents the process of excessive evaporation and undesirable loss of moisture. Therefore, most conifers are evergreen. They do not lose their foliage with the onset of the cold season. The cones of all gymnosperms are not fruits, since they do not form flowers. This is a special modification of the shoot, which performs the function of generative reproduction.

Angiosperms

This is the most numerous group of plants that are most complex. At present, they occupy a dominant position on the planet. Their characteristic features are the presence of flowers and fruits. The department of angiosperms, in turn, is divided into two classes: mono- and dicotyledons. Their main systematic feature is the corresponding number of cotyledons in the seed embryo. A brief classification of plants, examples and main features of the structure of the basic systematic units are given in the table. It illustrates the complication in the structure of organisms in the process of evolution.

Classification of plants: a table with examples

All representatives of the flora can be systematized. Let's sum up all of the above with the help of the table below:

The existing classification of plant organisms greatly facilitates the process of their study, allows us to establish characteristic features and interrelations between different groups.