Chapter 21, Problem 35A

Summary Introduction

To write:

Comparison of cones and strobili

Introduction:

Plants are important to our survival. The oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, and many of the things that make our lives comfortable. Plants are multicellular eukaryotes with tissues and organs that have specialized structures and functions. Plants that inhabited land developed adaptations that helped them survive limited water resources as well as other environmental factors.

Explanation of Solution

In some seedless vascular plant sporophytes is the strobilus (plural, strobili). A strobilus is a compact cluster of spore-bearing structures. The tiny spores produced in the strobilus often are carried by the wind. Cone is also called as strobilus. It is a mass of scales that are generally ovate in shape and present in nonflowering plants as reproductive organs. It is a general characteristic of pines and other conifers and also present in all gymnosperms. Some cones in conifers are male and some are female. Pollens are released from male cones which are carried by wind. When these pollens settle on a female cone, the female cone will generate seeds.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that cone is also known as strobilus and they act as a reproductive organs in plants.