Question

Растения каменноугольного периода и их современные потомки, сравнения

Answer 1

В каменноугольном периоде наиболее распространены были хвощи, папоротники и плауны. В отличие от своих современных потомков, они были гораздо крупнее, имели древесные формы. Они занимали господствующее положение, являлись лесообразующими. Сейчас у них только травянистые и кустарничковые формы, и они могут формировать только травянистый и почвопокрывающий яруса.

Answer 2

Plants of the Carboniferous Period and Their Modern Descendants: A Comparison

The Carboniferous Period, also known as the Coal Age, lasted from approximately 359 to 299 million years ago. During this time, the Earth's climate was warm and humid, and the land was covered by vast forests. The plants that thrived during the Carboniferous Period played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's ecosystems and contributed to the formation of coal deposits.

Plants of the Carboniferous Period: 1. Lycopsids: Lycopsids, also known as club mosses, were one of the dominant plant groups during the Carboniferous Period. They had tall, tree-like forms and reproduced by spores. Some examples of Carboniferous lycopsids include Lepidodendron and Sigillaria. 2. Sphenopsids: Sphenopsids, commonly known as horsetails, were another group of plants that thrived during the Carboniferous Period. They had jointed stems and leaves arranged in whorls. Calamites is an example of a Carboniferous sphenopsid. 3. Ferns: Ferns were abundant during the Carboniferous Period and played a crucial role in the formation of coal deposits. They reproduced by spores and had large, frond-like leaves. Some examples of Carboniferous ferns include Neuropteris and Pecopteris. 4. Seed Ferns: Seed ferns, also known as pteridosperms, were a group of plants that had characteristics of both ferns and seed plants. They reproduced by seeds and had fern-like foliage. Some examples of Carboniferous seed ferns include Alethopteris and Glossopteris.

Modern Descendants: Many of the plant groups that thrived during the Carboniferous Period have modern descendants that can be found today. While these modern plants have evolved and diversified over millions of years, they still share some similarities with their ancient ancestors.

1. Lycopsids: Today, lycopsids are represented by the club mosses, which are small, herbaceous plants. They have a creeping or upright growth habit and reproduce by spores. While they are not as large or tree-like as their Carboniferous ancestors, they still retain some characteristics of their ancient relatives. 2. Sphenopsids: Horsetails, the modern descendants of Carboniferous sphenopsids, can still be found today. They have jointed stems and reproduce by spores. Horsetails are typically smaller in size compared to their ancient counterparts, but they share similar features such as whorled leaves. 3. Ferns: Ferns are one of the most diverse groups of plants today, with thousands of species found worldwide. They still reproduce by spores and have large, frond-like leaves. While modern ferns have evolved and diversified, they share similarities with their Carboniferous ancestors in terms of their reproductive strategies and leaf morphology. 4. Seed Plants: The seed ferns of the Carboniferous Period are considered to be an early evolutionary step towards modern seed plants. Today, seed plants are the dominant group of plants on Earth and include conifers, flowering plants, and other gymnosperms. Seed plants reproduce by seeds and have various adaptations that allow them to thrive in different environments.

It is important to note that while these modern plants have evolved from their Carboniferous ancestors, they have undergone significant changes and adaptations over millions of years. The process of evolution has led to the diversification and development of new plant species with unique characteristics and adaptations to different environments.

In conclusion, the plants of the Carboniferous Period, including lycopsids, sphenopsids, ferns, and seed ferns, played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's ecosystems. Their modern descendants, such as club mosses, horsetails, ferns, and seed plants, can still be found today, although they have evolved and diversified over millions of years