Angiosperm vs. Gymnosperm

Main Difference

Reproduction is the necessary process for the continuation of the living. In plants, seeds are held responsible for the purpose of reproduction. Seeds are the unit of reproduction which are usually of smaller size. In plants seeds (sexual) cells combine for the process of reproduction. Seeds are the unit of reproduction which are usually of smaller size. In plants mainly, seeds (sexual) cells combine for the process of reproduction. Angiosperms and Gymnosperms are the two terms used for the plants having two different type of seeds. Angiosperms are the flowering plants that have seeds bound within an ovary, whereas Gymnosperms are the plants without fruit and flowers, and have exposed seed that surfaces on the scales or leaves of the plant. They are often referred to have ‘naked, or unenclosed seeds (not covered by the ovary). Together the terms, angiosperms and gymnosperms stand for all the plants possessing seeds, the collective terms used for both the seed types is Spermatophyte.What is Angiosperm? It refers to the seed possessing plants which have flowers and have the seed covered within the ovary. It is said to be the most diverse group of the Kingdom Plantae as it has more than 300,000 discovered species so far. It can further be elaborated as around 80% of the all green plants known are angiosperms. As mentioned above angiosperms are the diverse flowering plants with covering the seeds within an ovary, which itself is present within the flower of the plant. Flowers are the attracting factor of the angiosperms that have male or female reproductive organs or both, and they play a pivotal role in the process of fertilization. Angiosperms exist in around every of the habitat, though they wither in unwanted conditions or season as they are the seasonal plants and have compulsion of several factors to main themselves. The leaves in angiosperm are generally flat with no sharp edges or needles, their seed in the ovule can exist in pair form (dicots) or even as single (monocots). For the process of pollination, angiosperms mainly rely on the insects.

Difference Between Angiosperm and Gymnosperm

Comparison Chart

What is Gymnosperm?

It refers to the seed possessing plants which are flower-less and have the ‘naked seeds’ as they are not covered with the walls or ovary. As it has cones and scales rather than flowers, the seeds are borne in here and gets visible when the plant gets mature. They are the ancient plants, were dominant in the Mesozoic Era (about 252.2 million to 66 million years ago), today they have around 1000 existent species which usually flourish in the dry habitats. The word “gymnosperm” is derived from the Greek word ‘gymnospermos,’ which means “naked seeds.” For the process of pollination, gymnosperms mainly rely on the wind. Gymnosperms are evergreen plants as they are flower-less and not require several factors for their survival. Gymnosperms are mainly further divided into these four groups: conifers, cycads, ginkgo, and gnetophytes.

Angiosperm vs. Gymnosperm

• Angiosperms are the flowering plants that have seeds bound within an ovary, whereas Gymnosperms are the plants without fruit and flowers, and have exposed seed that surfaces on the scales or leaves of the plant.
• There are more than 300,000 species of angiosperms known currently, on the other hand, there are around 1000 species of gymnosperms.
• Flowers are the attracting factor of the angiosperms that have male or female reproductive organs or both, and they play a pivotal role in the process of fertilization.
• For the process of pollination, angiosperms mainly rely on the insects, whereas gymnosperms mainly rely on the wind.