Review the process of gymnosperm reproduction in your lecture textbook, and the pertinent notes from the lecture. Illustrate the following reproductive structures from the Pine tree, a typical gymnosperm. Label the indicated features, and briefly state the function of each. Note that the small male-produced gamete (pollen grain) is termed microspore, while the large female-produced gamete is termed megaspore.

(See also Young's Botany Coloring Book, plate 79 & 80.)

1) Pinus male and female cones (Carolina Biological Supply slide B 500a)

male (pollen) cone: etymology:

view 1: microsporophyll (leaf-derived) "tiny-seed-leaf"

(40x) microsporangium "tiny-seed-chamber"

pollen grains

(microsporocyte) "tiny-seed-cell"

same page:

view 2: pollen grain

(400x) with air bladders (wings)

ovuliferous (female) cone (40x): "little-egg-bearing"

megasporophyll (ovuliferous scale) "large-seed-leaf"

sterile bract "leaf or metal plate"

ovule: "little-egg"

megasporocyte "large-seed-cell"

nucellus (megasporangium) "little nut"

megaspore

integument "inward-holding-agent"

micropyle "tiny-gate"

Gymnosperm seed:

Carefully slice a pine nut lengthwise across the wider dimension with a razor blade or very sharp knife (try not to crumble the seed). You should see the embryo embedded in the surrounding female gametophyte. Illustrate and identify the following structures:

cotyledons (cotyl-: cup. these are finger-like "leaves")

superior apical meristem (apex: uppermost, meristem: tissue capable of growth))

hypocotyl-root axis (hypo-: below)

inferior apical meristem

radicle (radix = root)

female gametophyte (megagametophyte)