GROUPS OF ANGIOSPERMS

The great majority of plant species—over 260,000—are angiosperms.

A water lily floats on water.

Water lilies are aquatic plants that produce flowers and leaves, which float on the surface of the water.

AMBORELLA

Amborella does not represent a group of plants but instead just a single species found only on the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific Ocean. DNA studies show that Amborella is equally separated from all other flowering plants living today, suggesting that it is descended from plants that split off from the main line of flowering plant evolution as long ago as 100 million years.

Amborella trichopoda flowers.

The flowers of Amborella trichopoda are simpler than those of most other plants, and the species has a number of features that place it at the very base of flowering plant evolution.

NYMPHAEACEAE: Water lilies

About 50 species of water lilies are known, and they are of special interest to plant taxonomists. Their DNA and flower structure suggest that they are, along with Amborella, one of the earliest groups to have split off from the main line of flowering plant evolution. Examples of water lilies are found throughout the world.

MAGNOLIIDS: Magnolia trees and others

The most famous genus of these plants is Magnolia, which includes nearly 200 species. Laurels and tulip poplars are also magnoliids (mag NOH lee ids). Because of their flower structure, magnoliids were once thought to be nearly as primitive as water lilies. Genetic studies now suggest that they split off from the rest of the angiosperm line after monocots and, therefore, do not represent the earliest flowering plants.

Tulip Poplar flower.

The Tulip Poplar is a long, straight tree often used as wood for telephone poles. Its flowers are greenish and shaped like tulips.

A flower of Magnolia tree.

Magnolia trees produce conspicuous flowers, which contain multiple stamens and multiple pistils.

End ofPage DOL 27

Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
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