Algae and Non Vascular plants

Algae

• Photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms

• Polyphyletic

Chrysophyta

• (golden brown algae and related colorless forms)

• chlorophyll a and c, fucoxanthin

• Stramenopile (SAR)

Phaeophyta

• (brown algae)

• chlorophyll a and c, fucoxanthin

• Stramenopile (SAR)

Xanthophyta

• (yellow- green algae)

• Related to brown algae

• chlorophyll a, c1 and c2, β-carotene, xanthophylls

• Stramenopile (SAR)

Rhodophyta

• (red algae)

• chlorophyll a, α- and β- carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, phycobilin

• Archeaplastida

Chlorophyta

• (green algae)

• chlorophylls a and b, carotene, xanthophyll

• Archeaplastida

1. producer

2. bioindicator for environmental changes

3. Food Source

Algae’s ecological significance

1. xylem and phloem

2. stomata

3. internal air spaces

three things non-vascular plants do not have

poikilohydric

Non-vascular plants are unable to control the rate of water loss from their tissues and are said to be ___________

1. lacks a vascular system

2. simpler tissues that are used for internal transport of water

3. structures that looks like leaves but are not true leaves

Non-vasular plants characteristics (3)

Bryophytes

represented today by three phyla of small herbaceous (nonwoody) plants

Gametophytes

larger and longer-living than sporophytes

Sporophytes

typically present only part of the time

1. liverworts

2. mosses

3. hornworts

Three phyla of non-vascular plants

Mosses

• range in height from less than 1 mm - 60 cm (most are <15 cm)

• The blades of their “leaves” are usually only one cell thick

• The familiar carpet of moss you observe consists mainly of gametophytes.

• Moss sporophytes are typically elongated and visible to the naked eye, with heights ranging up to about 20 cm.

• Though green and photosynthetic when young, they turn tan or brownish red when ready to release spores.

1. capsule

2. seta

In mosses, it comprises the sporophyte (a sturdy plant that takes months to grow)

tan or brownish red

In mosses, when they are ready to release spores, what color will the mosses turn into

Liverworts

• Old name: Marchantiophyta

• Some have liver-shaped gametophytes

• Two types: thalloid and leafy

• Thalloids – have flattened gametophyte

• Leafy - gametophytes have many leaflike appendages

1. Thalloids

2. Leafy

Two types of Liverworts

Hornworts

• long, tapered shape of the sporophyte. A typical sporophyte can grow to about 5 cm high.

• Its sporophyte lacks a seta and consists only of a sporangium.

• The sporangium releases mature spores by splitting open, starting at the tip of the horn.

• The gametophytes grow mostly horizontally and often have multiple sporophytes attached.

• Frequently among the first species to colonize open areas with moist soils; a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria contributes to their ability to do this

symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria

Hornworts can colonize areas with moist soils; what is the reason?

seta

hornwort sporophyte lacks a _____ and consists only of a sporangium.

horizontally

The gametophytes of hornworts grow mostly _______ and often have multiple sporophytes attached.

remember

ecological importance of mosses

• initiating soil formation on barren terrain

• prevent soil erosion ; maintaining soil moisture

• recycling nutrients; help retain nitrogen in the soil

• Formation of Peat (fuel source)

• Peat is a brown or dark color substance formed by the gradual compression and carbonization of the partially decomposed pieces of dead vegetative matter in the bogs

• Packing Material

• Dried mosses and Bryophytes have great ability to hold water. Due to this ability the Bryophytes are used as packing material for shipment of cut flowers, vegetables, perishable fruits, bulbs, tubers etc.

• Medicines

• antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, antitumor and insecticidal

Sphagnum

• an important global reservoir of organic carbon

• Overharvesting of it and/or a drop in water level in peatlands could release stored CO2 to the atmosphere

• Low temperature, pH, and oxygen levels of peatlands inhibits decay of moss and other organisms

Peat

brown or dark color substance formed by the gradual compression and carbonization of the partially decomposed pieces of dead vegetative matter in the bogs

Dried Mosses and Bryophytes

________and ______ have great ability to hold water. Due to this ability, they are used as packing material for shipment of cut flowers, vegetables, perishable fruits, bulbs, tubers