GYMNOSPERMS Pine cones

In this lab try to see how the alternation of generations that you saw in mosses works for pine trees and other conifers.

How have these plants overcome the dependence on water and vulnerability of the gametophyte that are problems for reproduction in lower plants? \

Collect male cone (yellow-brown), and one of each type of young female cone (purple-green). Start by looking at the cones under the dissecting scope. There will be some mature, dried out cones to look at.

1. Since we have all of these cones at the same time, what does this tell you about cone and seed development in pines?

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Cut the mid-size, green female cone lengthwise and look at it under the dissecting scope. Next collect prepared slides of the staminate cone, ovulate cone and ovule. You should be able to see most of the structure under the dissecting scope. Move over to the compound microscope to confirm details of structure if necessary.

In looking at the ovulate cone it is helpful to have a diagram for comparison. However, remember that the sectioning knife does not often cut the ovules in the same plane as in the diagram. Thus the micropyle is often not visible but the gap between the integument and the nucellus can more often be seen. There is also a band of red-stained cells on the inner surface of the integument which helps to define the boundary with the nucellus.

2. Which contains more spores the micro- or the megasporangia?

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3. Will pollination occur on the side of the ovule next to the axis of the cone or at the other end?

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4. Why might it be difficult to find megaspore mother cells on the slide?

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5. Next look at the slide of a pine ovule (L.S.). What new tissue has developed form the ovulate cone slide?

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6. What are the two (sometimes three) large dark stained globular structures in the section?

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7. Now look at a mature pine cone; pull back scales to see if you can find seeds. A pine seed contains three generations of tissue. What generations are represented (first or second, gametophyte or sporophyte) and what is their ploidy level:

	1st/2nd	Generation	Ploidy (n)
Seed coat
In between
Embryo

8. Which spores produced by pine are dispersed just like those in lower plants?

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9. What happens to the other kind of spore?

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10. Which gametophyte develops pretty much like that in fern (although it is in a different place)?

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11. Which gametophyte develops pretty much like that in fern (although it is in a different place)?

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12. What has happened to the other gametophyte?

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