Nonvascular Plants: Bryophytes

These flashcards cover key concepts about bryophytes, including their characteristics, reproductive structures, and differences from vascular plants.

What are the defining characteristics of bryophytes?

Bryophytes are nonvascular, with a dominant gametophyte generation, a dependent sporophyte, motile sperm that require water for fertilization, and they are seedless.

What is matrotrophy in plants?

Matrotrophy is the characteristic where an embryo receives nourishment from the maternal gametophyte.

What are the three phyla of bryophytes?

The three phyla of bryophytes are Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Anthocerotophyta (hornworts), and Bryophyta (mosses).

How do bryophytes reproduce?

Bryophytes reproduce via gametophytes (haploid) that produce gametes, which fertilize to form a zygote, leading to a dependent sporophyte (diploid).

What is the role of rhizoids in bryophytes?

Rhizoids anchor the plant to the substrate but are not used for water transport.

What is the dominant generation in bryophytes?

The dominant generation in bryophytes is the gametophyte.

What role do hydroids serve in bryophytes?

Hydroids are specialized conducting tissues for water in some bryophytes, although they are not lignified like true vascular tissue.

What is an antheridium in bryophytes?

An antheridium is the male gametangium that produces motile sperm.

What do archegonia produce in bryophytes?

Archegonia produce single eggs in the female gametangium.

Describe the spore dispersal mechanism in Marchantia sporophytes.

Marchantia sporophytes have elaters, elongated cells that aid in spore dispersal through twisting motions when the mature capsule dries.

What distinguishes the class Sphagnidae in bryophytes?

Class Sphagnidae, or peat mosses, is distinguished by its unusual protonema, mop-like morphology, and water-holding capacity.

What is unique about the sporophyte of hornworts?

Hornworts have a sporophyte that is horn-like, lacks specialized conducting tissue, and has a meristem for elongation between the foot and sporangium.

What is the difference in rhizoid structure among the three bryophyte phyla?

Rhizoids in liverworts are unicellular, whereas those in mosses are multicellular.

What is a calyptra in bryophytes?

The calyptra is a covering formed from the archegonium that protects the sporangium.

What are the characteristics of true mosses (Bryidae)?

True mosses have leafy gametophytes, multicellular rhizoids, and a dominant protonema that resembles filamentous green algae.

What is the role of sporopollenin in bryophyte spores?

Sporopollenin makes spore walls decay- and chemical-resistant, enhancing their survival during air transport.