Explain the term Ferns?
Ferns are plants that have vessels that conduct water, minerals, and nutrients, and reproduce through spores, rather than seeds. Ferns are therefore often referred to as seedless vascular plants. Ferns range in size from very tiny aquatic plants (less than a centimeter) to tree ferns that tower to 25 feet in height.
Many of the familiar ferns have horizontal stems called rhizomes that crawl along the ground and are anchored by roots. These produce upright leaves that are called fronds. The undersides of these fronds bear spore-producing organs called sporangia. Clusters of sporangia are known as sori, and occur in different shapes and sizes.
The 1N spores are produced by meiosis and following dispersal, germinate and grow into tiny 1N gametophytes that are green and heart-shaped. These gametophytes develop archegonia, which produce eggs, and antheridia, which produce sperm. Following fertilization, the 2N zygote develops into the large familiar sporophyte with rhizomes and fronds.