Main Notes Column
Why "Amphibians of the Plant Kingdom"
- Terrestrial habitat but require WATER for fertilization
- Male gametes = antherozoids (flagellated, must swim)
- Female gametes in archegonium (flask-shaped organ)
Dominant Phase: GAMETOPHYTE (haploid, n)
- The visible green plant = gametophyte
- Sporophyte (foot + seta + capsule) = dependent on gametophyte
Two Sub-groups:
| Feature | Liverworts (Marchantia) | Mosses (Funaria) |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Flat, thalloid, dorsiventral | Differentiated (leafy) |
| Gametophyte | Thallus directly | Protonema → Gametophore |
| Asexual Reproduction | Gemma cups (gemmae) | Fragmentation, secondary protonema |
| Example | Marchantia, Riccia | Funaria, Sphagnum |
Bryophyte Sporophyte (foot → seta → capsule)
- Foot: absorbs nutrients from gametophyte
- Seta: elongated stalk
- Capsule: produces spores by meiosis
Cue/Question Column
- Q: Name three non-vascular plants A: Algae, Bryophytes (no xylem or phloem)
- Q: What is protonema? A: Filamentous juvenile stage of moss gametophyte (from spore)
- Q: Gemma cup plant? A: Marchantia (liverwort)
Summary Box
Bryophytes = non-vascular + dominant gametophyte + water for fertilization. Marchantia = flat thallus + gemma cups. Funaria = protonema stage. Sporophyte = foot+seta+capsule, dependent on gametophyte. Key: gametophyte dominant in BRYOPHYTES ONLY.