Botany Final BRYOPHYTES

Unique Characteristics vs Algae

• drought-resistant pores

• multi-celled for water retention

• water-proofing cuticle

• has gametangia and sporangia

• coordination of gamete production w/ moisture for swimming sperm

Dominant Generation

Gametophyte

Key Features

no seeds or vascular tissues

What is the purpose of the archegonium?

Holds the egg which is then fertilized by the sperm from the antheridium to form a zygote

Marchantiophyta Archegonium

Bryophyta Archegoniuim

What is the purpose of the antheridium?

Holds the sperm, which are released when hit by water to swim to the archegonium

Marchantiophyta Antheridium

Bryophyta Antheridium

What is the purpose of the sporangium?

Attached to the archegonium, develops from fertilized zygote, and undergoes meiosis to produce spores

Marchantiophyta Sporangium

Bryophyta Sporangium

What is the purpose of gemmae cups?

ONLY in Marchantiophyta; enable asexual reproduction via gemmae

Processes of gametangia

Produce male and female gametes via MITOSIS

Processes of sporangia

Produce haploid spores via MEIOSIS

Why is water needed for fertilization?

Sperm doesn’t have direct access to the egg and must be carried via a medium

Importance of Bryophytes

• shelter/food for invertebrate species

• initial colonizers in ecosystems

• used as a fuel source

• involved in the global carbon cycle

• inclusive in pop culture (Man Thing, Swamp Thing)

Which structures are part of the GAMETOPHYTE generation?

• Archegonium

• Antheridium

• Egg

• Sperm

• Spores

Which structures are part of the SPOROPHYTE generation?

• Sporangium

• Zygote

What does the division Bryophyta entail?

Mosses

What does the division Marchantiophyta entail?

Liverworts