Back
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

conifer

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

A conifer is a gymnosperm, which means that it is a seed-bearing plant that does not have flowers.

Conifers have cones, which are the reproductive structures of the plant. The cones contain seeds, which are dispersed by the wind.

Conifers are evergreen, which means that they keep their leaves all year round.

There are over 600 species of conifers, and they are found all over the world.

How can the word be used?

The botanical division that includes conifers.

conifer

Different forms of the word

The word "confiner" does not exist in the English language. The word you are looking for is "confine".

The word "confine" comes from the Latin word "confinere", which means "to enclose" or "to limit". It is made up of the prefix "con-", which means "together", and the verb "finire", which means "to end" or "to finish".

Etymology

The word "conifer" comes from the Latin word "conus", which means "cone", and the suffix "-fer", which means "bearing". This means that a conifer is a tree that bears cones.

Question

What type of tree is a confier?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

In the context of botany, what is a conifer, and what are some distinguishing features that set conifers apart from other types of plants?

Answer:

In botany, a conifer is a type of woody plant belonging to the division Pinophyta. These plants are characterised by their cone-bearing reproductive structures, from which the name "conifer" is derived.

Distinguishing features of conifers include their needle-like or scale-like leaves, which help reduce water loss and adapt to various environmental conditions. Unlike deciduous plants, which shed their leaves seasonally, conifers retain their foliage throughout the year, making them evergreen.

Another characteristic of conifers is their production of cones for reproduction. Male cones release pollen, which is carried by wind to female cones for fertilisation, resulting in the development of seeds.

Conifers are well-adapted to thrive in colder climates and are commonly found in temperate and boreal regions around the world. Some well-known examples of conifers include pine trees, spruces, firs, and cedars.

Due to their unique adaptations and ecological importance, conifers play a significant role in the Earth's ecosystems and have economic importance as sources of timber, paper, and various essential oils used in industries and traditional medicine.