Question

Differentiate between the following

Prothallus and Protonema

Answer 1

1. Prothallus: The gametophyte produced by the germination of spores is thalloid and bears both male and female sex organs; and is called Prothallus.
2. Protonema: The haploid spore of a moss plant germinates to produce a branched photosynthetic filamentous juvenile stage called protonema. This is seen in bryophytes.

Prothallus	Protonema
1. These are pteridophyte gametophytes.	1. Filamentous thalloid structures of gametophytes have been observed in some liverworts and mosses.
2 .It can be seen in pteridophytes	2. It can be seen in mosses and some liverworts
3. It can give rise to female and male sex structures	3. It can give rise to gametophores