Question

The unique feature of Bryophytes compared to other green plant groups is that

• A. They produce spores
• B. They have vascular tissues
• C. They lack root
• D. Their sporophyte is attached to gametophyte

Answer 1

The correct option is D Their sporophyte is attached to gametophyte

The leafy thallus of the Bryophyte is haploid and produces gametes by mitosis and is called as the gametophyte. The spermatozoids are biflagellate and swim through the surface film of moisture to reach the eggs, which are retained inside the thallus but open to the outside via pores. The spermatozoids are attracted to chemicals secreted by the egg and one can fertilise each egg. The result of fertilisation is a diploid zygote, which grows into a diploid plant, which produces spores by meiosis and is called the sporophyte. The sporophyte remains attached to the parent gametophyte and is said to be 'parasitic' on it since it lacks chlorophyll and absorbs much of its nutrition from the gametophyte.