plants - eukaryotic, multicellular, autotrophic 

• alternation of generations (heteromorphic) - haploid >> diploid (haplodiplontic)
  • humans have diplontic life cycles (only diploid form = multicellular)
  • sporophyte - diploid, creates spores through meiosis
  • gametophytes - haploid, creates gametes through mitosis
• adapted to terrestrial environment - cuticle (waxy covering), cork layers, bark prevent drying out
• gas exchange controlled by guard cells, stomata
• structural support - no more water to hold up the plant
  • lignin - stiffening substance >> plant stays vertical
  • guarantees maximum surface area for sunlight absorption
• phloem/xylem transport system evolves to replace intracellular transport
• 2 major plant groups - nonvascular, vascular
  • nonvascular - 3/12 phyla, no tissue for water/nutrient transport
  • vascular - xylem/phloem transport system

nonvascular plants - “bryophytes,” transition between aquatic algae and land plants 

• less than 7cm tall
• no conducting vessels
• lack true roots, stems, leaves
• needs water for reproduction
• Bryophyta - moss
  • anchored by rhizoid
  • 1-cell thick
  • gametophyte - small, leaf-like; archegonia (egg) and antheridia (sperm)
• Hepaticophyta - leafy/thallose liverworts
  • grows prostrate (horizontal to ground)
  • gametangia - umbrella structure for sexual reproduction
  • gemmae for asexual reproduction
• Anthrocerophyta - hornworts
  • sporophyte at top, attached to gametophyte
  • sporophyte continues to grow, not just for reproduction