Addis Hiwot School (Dire Dawa)

Species is a group of organisms that can breed successfully with one another
to produce a fertile offspring. 999999999999999999999999999999999999999

3. Kingdom fungi
For many years the fungi were classified as a sort of plant. However fungi can’t make
food by photosynthesis so they don’t really fit in the plant kingdom.

There are around 80000 species of fungi. They vary in size for yeasts to large puffballs.

Fungi are found in all habitats where organic matter is present. Many of them are
terrestrial and prefer to grow in moist habitat with dim lights.

They reproduce sexually, asexually (by forming and releasing spores) and vegetative
(by budding).

They have eukaryotic cells and they are heterotrophs, either absorbing nutrients directly
from their food or secreting enzymes to digest their food outside of the fungus.

Some are saprotrophs, which means they feed on dead material. Saprophytic fungi
usually produce huge numbers of spores. They play a vital role in the ecosystem as
decomposers. Examples of this type of fungus are rhizopus (bread mould), mucor and
penicillium.

Some are parasites. They attack plants more than animals. Examples of fungi which
attack humans are Candida albicans (thrush) and Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), and
example of fungus which attack plants is mildew.

A. Candida albicans (thrush) B. Athlete’s foot C. Mildew

Some are mutualists, this means they live in close association with another organism and
both benefit. Examples are lichen (fungi and algae) and mycorrhizae (fungus and roots of
plant).

Grade 9 Biology Prepared by: Bereketeab G. (092-116-2199)

 Addis Hiwot School (Dire Dawa)

4. Kingdom plantae
The main characteristics of all plants include:

 They have eukaryotic cells

 They are multicellular
 They contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis
 They predominantly land dwelling
 Most of them have a waxy cuticle which helps to prevent drying out.

The kingdom splits into four divisions. The four most important divisions are:

I. Division bryophyta (mosses and liverworts)

Bryohyta are the simplest land plants. The most common characteristics of bryophytes
are:

 They don’t have a true root system

 They are non-vascular
 They are small in size- the largest species is less than 60cms tall.
 They are found in damp places. They are commonly found in rainforests and at
high altitude mountains.

The best examples of bryophytes are mosses like Entodon concinnus, found in Bale
mountans, and Funaria spp. A moss plant has simple root-like structures called rhizoids.
The other example is liverwort, which only grew in very wet places.

Entodon concinnus

Grade 9 Biology Prepared by: Bereketeab G. (092-116-2199)

 Addis Hiwot School (Dire Dawa)

II. Division pteridophyta

Pteridophyts are plants that don’t have any flowers or seeds. The most common
characteristics of pteridophyts are:

 They have true leaves, stems and roots. Fern stems have rhizome which grow
horizontally just below the surface of the soil.
 They reproduce by releasing their spores.
 Most ferns live in damp, shady places- they are common in rainforests. However,
some ferns can grow and do well in full sunlight. Example: Dryopteris spp.

Dryopteris spp

Spermatophytes
Spermatophytes are seed bearing plants. They are the most successful of all land plants
because:

 They have well developed roots, stems and leaves

 They have a well-developed vascular tissue.
 The male gametes are contained within pollen grains and the female gamete is
contained within the embryo sac.
 The product of fertilization is a seed that may or may not be enclosed in a fruit.

Spermatophytes are divided into two divisions: gymnospermae and angiospermae.

Grade 9 Biology Prepared by: Bereketeab G. (092-116-2199)

 Addis Hiwot School (Dire Dawa)
N

III. Division gymnospermae

They are most commonly known as the conifers or ‘naked seed plants’. They grow
around the world- about one third of the world’s forests are coniferous and they are often
cultivated for timber. They are usually the predominant vegetation in cold and mountain
regions. The main characteristics of gymnosperms are:

 Their seeds are not enclosed in fruits.

 They have cuticle.
 They are evergreen so they can photosynthesize all year long.
 Their reproductive structures are found in cones.
 They have well developed roots, stems and leaves
 The have well developed vascular tissue.

Examples: pine trees, spruces etc.

Pine trees

IV. Division angiospermae

Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the biggest group of land plants on the earth. The
main characteristics of angiosperms are:

 They have flowers as reproductive organs. The biggest flower in the world belongs
to Rafflesia arnoldii and the smallest belong to Wolffia globosa. Whatever the
size of the flowers, they carry the reproductive parts of the plant.
 Their seeds are enclosed in a fruit.
 They have well developed roots, stems and leaves
 The have well developed vascular tissue.

Angiosperms are subdivided into two main classes according to the number of cotyledons
they have in their seeds. These classes are monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Grade 9 Biology Prepared by: Bereketeab G. (092-116-2199)

 Addis Hiwot School (Dire Dawa)

A. Class monocotyledons (monocots)

The monocots are a group of plants with enormous importance. They include cereal
plants and grasses. The main characteristics of monocots are:

The embryo has a single seed leaf (cotyledon).

Their leaves are generally long and thin with parallel veins.
Their stems contain scattered vascular bundles.
They don’t reach great sizes (palms are the exception to this).
They are often wind pollinated.

Examples: maize, orchids, etc.

B. Class dicotyledons
The dicotyledons (dicots) make up most of the trees with which we are familiar, as well
as many vegetable plants in our gardens and almost all of the colored flowering plants.
The main characteristics of dicots are:

The embryo has two seed leaves (cotyledons).

Their leaves are often relatively broad and have a network of veins.
Their stems contain a ring of vascular tissue.
Some dicots reach great sizes.
They are often pollinated by insects.

Examples: sunflower, peas, roses and beans.

Questions
1. List 4 importance of gymnosperms
2. What is the difference between monocots and dicots?
3. List 3 differences between gymnosperms and angiosperms
4. What is cuticle?

References:
 Biology text book from page 180-185
 Google (from different websites)

Grade 9 Biology Prepared by: Bereketeab G. (092-116-2199)