Question

Describe the similarities and differences in the sexual reproduction of moss and fern.

Answer 1

Similarities in the sexual reproduction of moss and fern:

(i) Oogamous mode of sexual reproduction, meaning fertilization of non-motile female gamete with motile gamete.

(ii) Sperms are flagellate.

(iii) Female sex organs or archegonia are flask-shaped with a tubular neck and a swollen basal venter. Venter encloses a single egg or oosphere and a sterile venter canal cell. Neck has one or more neck canal cells.

(iv) An external source of water is required by the sperms to reach the archegonia.

(v) Embryo depends upon gametophytic phase.

(g) Both shows heteromorphic alternation of generation.

Difference in the sexual reproduction of moss and fern:

(i) Mosses do not have vascular tissue whereas ferns do have vascular tissue.

(ii) Mosses are gametophyte dominant whereas ferns are sporophyte dominant.

(iii) Mosses have separate male and female gametophytes whereas gametophyte of ferns have both male and female parts on the same plant.