Lecture 11 - Bryophytes and Pterophytes oct3

Bryophytes

Non-vascular plants, including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, which do not have xylem or phloem.

Pterophytes

Seedless vascular plants, such as ferns, characterized by their vascular tissue and greater size compared to bryophytes.

Charophyta

The closest algal phyla to land plants, which shares common characteristics with bryophytes and pterophytes.

Gametophyte

The haploid stage in the plant life cycle that produces gametes (sperms and eggs).

Sporophyte

The diploid stage in the plant life cycle that produces spores through meiosis.

Antheridia

Male reproductive structures in bryophytes that produce sperm.

Archegonia

Female reproductive structures in bryophytes that produce eggs.

Rhizoids

Hair-like structures that anchor bryophytes to the substrate but do not function in absorption.

Sporangium

An organ in which spores are produced by meiosis.

Phylum Marchantiophyta

A phylum of bryophytes that includes liverworts, known for their thallus structure.

Phylum Anthocerophyta

A phylum of bryophytes that includes hornworts, characterized by their horn-like sporangia.

Phylum Bryophyta

The largest phylum of bryophytes which includes true mosses.

Sori

Structures on the underside of fern leaves (fronds) that contain sporangia.

Primary Succession

The ecological process where an area is colonized by organisms after a major disturbance, starting often with bryophytes.

Secondary Succession

The ecological process of recovery and re-colonization following disturbances that do not eliminate all life.

Vascular Tissue

Tissue in vascular plants responsible for the transport of water (xylem) and nutrients (phloem).

Class Equisetopsida

A class of vascular plants commonly known as horsetails, characterized by jointed stems and a hollow structure, often found in wet habitats.

Class Psilotopsida

A class of vascular plants known as whisk ferns, characterized by their lack of true leaves and roots, and a unique reproductive structure.

Class Polypodiopsida

A class of vascular plants that includes ferns, characterized by large, divided leaves called fronds and a complex life cycle involving spores.

Phylum Monilophyta

A phylum of vascular plants that includes ferns and their relatives, characterized by their reproduction via spores and a distinct alternation of generations.