Download Angiosperm vs Gymnosperm

Angiosperm vs. Gymnosperm
Diversity
Hundreds of millions of years ago, gymnosperms were the only kind of plant life
on Earth. Between 250 and 200 million years ago, angiosperms started to
evolve. Now, angiosperms are more widely distributed and populous, and can be
considered the dominant plant life on the planet. Angiosperms comprise a far
more diverse range of plants, with a range of 250,000 to 400,000 species.
They inhabit every kind of land and aquatic environment except the most
extreme habitats. Angiosperms may be dicots or monocots.
Examples of Angiosperms and Gymnosperms
Examples of angiosperms are monocots like lilies,
orchids, agaves (known for agave nectar) and grasses;
and dicots like roses, peas, sunflowers, oaks and
maples.
Gymnosperm examples include non-flowering
evergreen trees such as pine, spruce and fir.
The most common gymnosperms are Conifers.
Conifers have leaves called needles or scales. The leaves (needles) have a
reduced surface area and have a thick waxy coat to reduce water loss and to
prevent freezing.
Anatomical Differences
Since gymnosperms and angiosperms are both vascular plants. Vascular plants
have tubes, roots, stems, and leaves. These plants also stand up tall.
Tissue formation in angiosperms are more complex than gymnosperms.
Angiosperms flat leaves in numerous shapes and hardwood stems. Because of
the countless varieties of the fruit and/or flower-bearing plants, they have
variety of colors and shapes of leaves, flowers and fruits.
Gymnosperms have spiky, needle-like leaves and are softwood. Gymnosperms
are "simpler" anatomically because they do not bear flowers or fruit, and
although of different species, are usually only tall evergreens with brown
cones.
Reproduction
Reproduction in angiosperms can be unisexual (imperfect) or bisexual (perfect).
The sex cells are spread by wind and by insect and animal pollinators attracted
by their flowers. Flowers often have both female and male gametes inside
them, and after fertilization, the ovules develop into a fruit.
The sex cells of gymnosperms are found in cones. Fertilization is described as
single; the pollen grains fall and germinate directly on the ovules. Pollen spores
are spread by wind alone.
Uses
Angiosperms provide virtually all plant-based food, as well as most livestock
feed. Grains, fruit, legumes, nightshades (including potatoes and tomatoes),
gourds, and cabbages are all angiosperms. Other angiosperms like cotton and
flax provide paper and textiles. The hardwood of angiosperms is used to
make hardwood floors.
Gymnosperms from the conifer group like pine, spruce, and fir are commonly
used for lumber. Other gymnosperms are processed into other products like
soap, varnish, and perfumes.