Bryophytes and Symbiotic Relationships

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary related to bryophytes, symbiotic relationships, and plant biology.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular plants including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts that require water for reproduction and have a dominant gametophyte stage.

Nonvascular

Plants lacking xylem and phloem; absorb water directly through tissues.

Alternation of generations

Life cycle alternating between haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte.

Gametophyte

Haploid stage that produces gametes (egg and sperm) by mitosis; dominant stage in bryophytes.

Sporophyte

Diploid stage that produces spores by meiosis; attached to and dependent on gametophyte for nutrition.

Antheridium

Male structure that produces sperm.

Archegonium

Female structure that produces egg.

Rhizoids

Root-like elongated epidermal cells that anchor bryophytes but do not transport water.

Sporangium

Structure where spores are produced by meiosis.

Protonema

Early developmental stage of moss gametophyte.

Sphagnum moss

Moss that absorbs 20–25 times its weight in water and forms peat bogs.

Gemmae cups

Asexual reproductive structures in liverworts that disperse clones through water splash.

Elaters

Structures that help disperse spores in liverworts.

Mycorrhizae

Symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots improving nutrient and water uptake.

Ectomycorrhizae

Fungus surrounds root cells but does not penetrate cell membrane.

Endomycorrhizae (VAM)

Fungus enters root cells forming arbuscules to increase nutrient exchange.

Lichen

Symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae or cyanobacteria.

Callus

Mass of undifferentiated plant cells formed during tissue culture.

Transgenic plant

Plant genetically modified with DNA from another organism.

Golden rice

Genetically modified rice that produces beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor).

Cation exchange

Process where positively charged nutrients bind to negatively charged soil particles.

Endophyte

Fungus or bacteria living inside plant tissue without causing disease.

Totipotency

Ability of a plant cell to develop into a whole plant.