Question

Explain the reproduction in the moss plant.

Answer 1

Mosses:

1. They are bryophytic spore-producing non-vascular plants that don't produce flowers.
2. Bryophytes are plants belonging to a specific taxonomic division comprising majorly non-vascular terrestrial plants characterized to be found in moist habitats.
3. They produce stems and leaves but lack roots.
4. They can be monoecious (both male and female reproductive organs) plants or dioecious (male and female reproductive on the separate individual) plants.
5. Mosses can reproduce sexually as well as asexually.

Reproduction in mosses:

1. They produce single-celled spores which are similar to flowering plants.
2. The spores reside inside the brown capsule on the seta, which is a long stem-like supporting stalk.
3. Upon the ripening of spores, they diffuse from the capsules to further the process of fertilization.
4. Sexual reproduction in mosses depends on exposure to moisture.
5. After maturation, the male sperms swim across to fertilize the egg to produce the brown capsule.
6. Mosses can also reproduce asexually via the process of fragmentation, where a new individual plant grows from part of the parent.