Science ·Class 9 Science

Activity 12.9 Let us study the salient features of each plant group. Class 9

RBSEGuide

· Jul 07, 2026 · Reviewed & updated Sep 17, 2026 · 2 min read

Activity 12.9 Let us study the salient features of each plant group. Class 9

Activity 12.9 Let us study

Aim: To study the salient features of each plant group, analyse the salient features and write the advantages for survival of the group and the exceptions or challenges faced in the given columns.

Table 12.7: Classes of Kingdom Plantae with their advantages and challenges

Plant groups and salient features	Advantages of the group for survival	Exceptions/Challenges
Thallophyta - Their body is like a thallus which facilitates easy absorption of water and nutrients, and exchange of gases from the surroundings.	Simple plant body facilitates survival and its dispersal in water.	They cannot live on land. They dry out quickly without water. They cannot grow tall as they lack structural support and vascular tissue.
Bryophyta - Unlike algae, this group of plants began to colonise land but with strong dependence on moisture. Plant body shows slight differentiation in body parts but not in root, stem, or leaves. They lack vascular tissues for transporting water and food. They require water for reproduction, as male reproductive cells must swim to reach female cells.	They are plant amphibians. Their body is adapted to live on moist land. They are the first land plants.	They always need moisture. They cannot grow in dry habitats. Reproduction requires water for male gametes to swim to female cells. They cannot grow tall due to the lack of vascular tissue.
Pteridophyta - Pteridophytes possess true roots, stems and leaves. They have vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) that transport water and food throughout the plant. They still depend on water for reproduction. They do not produce seeds.	They live on land. They transport food and water to all parts of the plant. They have vascular tissues.	Reproduction does not take place without water. They cannot colonise truly dry habitats. They do not produce seeds, so their young ones are more vulnerable and less protected than seeds.
Gymnosperm - They live on land. They have needle-like leaves which reduce water loss. Water is not essential for fertilisation. Their seeds are not enclosed in fruits and are exposed on cones.	Leaves are adapted for dry conditions. They do not require water for reproduction. They form seeds for continuity of life. They are well adapted to terrestrial life.	Seeds are not covered in the form of fruits. Without fruits, seeds lack additional protection and efficient dispersal mechanisms. Seed dispersal is more limited compared to angiosperms.
Angiosperm - They possess well- developed roots, stems and leaves. They undergo sexual reproduction through flowers. Their seeds are enclosed within fruits. Their seeds disperse through insects or birds, animals, wind, or water.	They produce flowers, fruits and seeds. They have a well-developed system for reproduction. They produce seeds for continuity of life. Their seeds are covered. They are the most advanced plants.	Reproduction is dependent on pollination by different agents. In the absence of pollinators, reproduction fails. They have complex processes through a well-developed tissue system, requiring more energy and resources to maintain compared to simpler plant groups.