BRYOPHYTES (MOSSES)

• Bryophytes include three groups:

  1. mosses
  2. liverworts
  3. hornworts
• Mosses grow in cool, moist, shady environments
• The gametophyte generation is the dominant generation- represented by the adult moss plant
• Adult Moss Plant- gametophyte and sporophyte

  
• The plant body is known as a thallus: does not have true roots, stems and leaves
• The plant body has a leaf-like structure, stem-like structure and rhizoids
• The rhizoids anchor the moss plant firmly in the soil and absorb water and mineral salts
• Leaf-like structures are called leaves or fronds; they photosynthesize
• Stem-like structures are called setae; they support the leaves above ground level
• Vascular Tissue (xylem and phloem) are absent in Bryophytes
• Gametes (ova and sperm) are produced in male and female sex organs of the gametophyte
• In sexual production, the sperm requires water to move to the ovum for fertilisation to occur
• Fertilisation is dependent of water
• After fertilisation has occurred a zygote is formed- the beginning of the sporophyte generation
• The sporophyte develops on the gametophyte and is dependent on it
• The sporophyte consists of a foot part, anchored in the gametophyte, a seta which bears a capsule known as the sporangium
• The sporangium is covered with a cap, the calyptra
• The spores form in the sporangium, it eventually dries out and releases the spores
• The spores are dispersed by the wind and germinate in damp soil. A new plant- representing the gametophyte generation develops
• Moss plants do no produce seeds and fruit
• Life Cycle of Bryophytes

  A) water depend