EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Comprising 550 species, conifers are the largest and most familiar group of gymnosperms. Conifers can range in size from tall trees, such as redwoods, to shrubs like yews and junipers. They are widely distributed around the world, often preferring cold to temperate climates, and regions of high elevation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gymnosperms are found in boreal and temperate forests.

Detailed explanation-3: -As vascular plants, gymnosperms contain two conducting tissues, the xylem and phloem. The xylem conducts water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant and also provides structural support.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most gymnosperms are evergreen, but some, such as larch and bald cypress, are deciduous (the leaves fall after one growing season). The leaves of many gymnosperms have a thick cuticle and stomata below the leaf surface.