Question

Which one of the following is the real difference between Marchantia and Funaria?

• A. The main plant body of Marchantia is haploid but that of Funaria is diploid
• B. In Marchantia the sporophyte is not distinguished into foot, seta and capsule unlike Funaria
• C. In Marchantia spores develop into adult gametophyte but in Funaria they develop into a juvenile filamentous gametophyte
• D. In Marchantia sporophyte is dependent on gametophyte whereas in Funaria it is independent

Answer 1

The correct option is C

In Marchantia spores develop into adult gametophyte but in Funaria they develop into a juvenile filamentous gametophyte

Funaria spores germinate to form an alga-like filamentous structure called the protonema. It represents the juvenile gametophyte which gives rise to erect leafy shoots called gametophore. Marchantia does not have a protonemal stage, the spores germinate directly into a new Gametophyte generation.