EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -gymnosperm, any vascular plant that reproduces by means of an exposed seed, or ovule-unlike angiosperms, or flowering plants, whose seeds are enclosed by mature ovaries, or fruits. The seeds of many gymnosperms (literally, “naked seeds”) are borne in cones and are not visible until maturity.

Detailed explanation-2: -In gymnosperms (plants with “naked seeds”-such as conifers, cycads, and ginkgo), the ovules are not enclosed in an ovary but lie exposed on leaflike structures, the megasporophylls.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gymnosperms are plants that have seeds but no flowers. The seeds of these plants are on cones or in cups. Most gymnosperms are evergreen. Gymnosperms include conifers, cycads and the ginkgo.

Detailed explanation-4: -Gymnosperms are heterosporous seed plants that produce naked seeds. They appeared in the Carboniferous period (359–299 million years ago) and were the dominant plant life during the Mesozoic era (251–65.5 million years ago). Modern-day gymnosperms belong to four divisions.