Plant

– Definition:
– Plants are eukaryotes in the kingdom Plantae.
– They are predominantly photosynthetic.
– Obtain energy from sunlight using chloroplasts.
– Exceptions include parasitic plants.
– Historically, the plant kingdom included algae and fungi.

– Taxonomic history:
– Aristotle classified living things into plants and animals.
– Linnaeus named the plant kingdom Vegetabilia.
– There are about 382,000 accepted plant species.
– Majority of plants produce seeds.
– Projects aim to document all plant species in online databases.

– Evolutionary history:
– Land plants evolved from aquatic ancestors.
– First land plants appeared around 450 million years ago.
– Plant anatomy preserved in early Devonian fossils.
– Basic plant features like roots and leaves developed by the end of the Devonian.
– Flowering plants evolved rapidly in the Cretaceous period.

– Phylogeny:
– A 2019 phylogeny was proposed based on genomes and transcriptomes.
– Algal groups’ placement is supported by genome-based phylogenies.
– Land plants arose from chlorophyte and streptophyte algae.
– Bryophyta classification is supported by recent phylogenetic studies.

– Importance and uses:
– Plants provide a substantial amount of Earth’s oxygen.
– Plant sugars support ecosystems and other organisms.
– Grain, fruit, and vegetables are basic human foods.
– Plants are used for building materials, medicines, and more.
– The scientific study of plants is known as botany.