AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Pines belong to a distinct phylogenetic entity, the conifers, a group that is usually placed at the phylum level (Pinophyta). They have vascular tissue and produce seeds but do not produce flowers.

Detailed explanation-2: -Vascular plants make up over 90% of all plant species. Types of vascular plant include ‘angiosperms’ (plants that produce flowers) and ‘gymnosperms’ (woody plants, i.e. pine trees). Non-vascular – Plants that lack vascular tissue (water only enters their body by diffusing through the plant’s cells), e.g. mosses.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gymnosperm and angiosperm are two types of flowering plants. Gymnosperms have seeds that are not covered by fruit, while angiosperms have seeds that are protected by fruit. Because pine trees have bare seeds that are not covered by fruit, they are gymnosperms.

Detailed explanation-4: -The majority of vascular plants reproduce by creating seeds rather than spores and are classified as either gymnosperms or angiosperms. Gymnosperms are vascular plants that create cones to house their seeds. Common gymnosperms include large trees, such as cedars, hemlocks, pines, and spruces.