26Bryophyta

📚
BRYOPHYTA
▢ Study:
❖ Bryology: Study of Bryophyta.
▢ History:

Table 1: History of Bryophyta

Point
Scientist
Father of Bryology
Hedwig
Term Bryophyta
Robert Braun
▢ General Characters:
  • •
    First land plants.
  • •
    Generally sciophytic = shade-loving.
  • •
    Known as amphibians of plant kingdom because water is needed for fertilization.
  • •
    Chloroplast usually without pyrenoid.
    1. Pyrenoid present in Anthoceros.
    2. Anthoceros = most primitive bryophyte.
      3. Image 1
  • •
    Attachment organs = rhizoids and scales.
  • •
    General height = \(15-20\,cm\).
▢ Exceptions to Sciophytic Habit:

Table 1: Aquatic and Semi-aquatic Bryophytes

Habit
Examples
Aquatic
◉ Riccia fluitans:
Image 1
◉ Ricciocarpus natans:
Image 1
◉ Riella:
Image 1
◉ Fontinalis antipyretica:
Image 1
Semi-aquatic
◉ Sphagnum:
Image 1
▢ Size Range:

Table 1: Size of Bryophytes

Bryophyte
Size
Importance
Picture
Zoopsis
\(0.5-5\,cm\)
Smallest bryophyte.
Image 1
Dawsonia
\(65\,cm\)
Largest bryophyte.
Image 1
Fontinalis
Longest bryophyte.
Aquatic moss.
Image 1
▢ Organs of Attachment:

Table 1: Rhizoid and Scales

Rhizoid
Scales
Nature
Root-like attachment structures.
Scale-like protective/attachment structures.
Types
Unicellular
Multicellular
Smooth walled
Tuberculated wall
Image 1
Image 1
  1. Liverworts
  2. Hornworts
Mosses
Multicellular
Ligulate
Appendiculate
Tongue like
Appendages like
Image 1
Image 1
▢ Reproduction:
❖ Types:
  • •
    Vegetative reproduction.
  • •
    Sexual reproduction.
❖ Vegetative Reproduction:

Table 1: Vegetative Reproduction in Bryophyta

Method
Main Point
Fragmentation
Plant body breaks into fragments; each fragment develops into new plant.
Death and decay of older part
Older part dies; two younger parts separate and develop into new plants.
Image 1
Gemma
  • •
    Gemma cups produced on dorsal surface.
  • •
    Gemmae formed inside gemma cup.
  • •
    Each gemma can develop into two plants.
    • Image 1
Apospory
Gametophyte forms directly from sporophytic tissue without spore formation.
Image 1
Apogamy
Sporophyte forms directly from gametophytic tissue without gamete formation.
Parthenogenesis
Gamete develops directly into sporophyte or fruit without fertilization.
Bulbil formation
  • •
    Rounded bulbils form at base of plant near rhizoids.
  • •
    On separation, each bulbil develops into new plant.
    • Image 1
Related Term
❖ Parthenocarpy: Formation of seedless fruit.
❖ Sexual Reproduction:
◉ Sex Organs: Male and female reproductive organs are multicellular and jacketed.

Table 1: Antheridium vs Archegonium

Feature
Antheridium
Archegonium
    Image 1
    Image 1
Image 1
Sex
Male reproductive organ.
Female reproductive organ.
Structure
Multicellular and jacketed.
Multicellular, jacketed, flask-shaped.
Product
Biflagellated curved male gametes.
Egg cell.
Parts
Produces male gametes.
  • •
    Egg cell.
  • •
    Venter canal cell \((VCC)\).
  • •
    Neck canal cell \((NCC)\).
◉ Fertilization and Sporophyte Formation:
  • •
    Movement of male gamete is chemotactic.
  • •
    Fertilization is internal.
  • •
    Zygote develops into embryo.
  • •
    Embryo differentiates into sporophyte.
  • •
    Embryo is protected by venter wall called calyptra \((n)\).
◉ Sporophyte:
  • •
    Main part = sporophytic capsule.
  • •
    Inside capsule, haploid spores are formed.
  • •
    Spores are homosporous.
▢ Classification:

Table 1: Classification of Bryophyta

Characters
Hepaticopsida / Liverworts
Anthocerotopsida / Hornworts
Bryopsida / Mosses
Plant body
Thalloid and prostrate.
Thalloid and prostrate.
Foliose and erect.
Rhizoids
  • •
    Unicellular.
  • •
    Smooth-walled.
  • •
    Tuberculated.
Unicellular.
Multicellular.
Scales
Present \((+ve)\).
Absent \((-ve)\).
Absent \((-ve)\).
Sporophyte consists of
  • •
    Foot.
  • •
    Seta.
  • •
    Capsule.
  • •
    Foot.
  • •
    Capsule.
  • •
    Seta absent.
  • •
    Foot.
  • •
    Seta.
  • •
    Capsule.
Examples
    ◈ Riccia.:
    Image 1
    ◈ Marchantia.:
    Image 1
  • •
    Anthoceros.
    1. Pyrenoid present.
    2. Most primitive bryophyte.
    3. Pseudoelaters present.
    4. Sporophyte relatively independent.
  • •
    Funaria = cord moss / green moss.
  • •
    Sphagnum = bog moss / peat moss / aquatic moss.
  • •
    Polytrichum.
▢ False Moss:

Table 1: False Moss Examples

Name
Actual Group
Club moss = Lycopodium
Pteridophyta.
Spike moss = Selaginella
Pteridophyta.
Reindeer moss = Cladonia
Lichen.
High-yield Summary
❖ Study: Bryology.
❖ Father of Bryology: Hedwig.
❖ First land plant: Bryophyta.
❖ Amphibian of plant kingdom: Needs water for fertilization.
❖ Most primitive bryophyte: Anthoceros.
❖ Smallest bryophyte: Zoopsis.
❖ Largest bryophyte: Dawsonia.
❖ Longest bryophyte: Fontinalis.
❖ Main sporophyte part: Capsule.
❖ Spores: Haploid and homosporous.
📚
MARCHANTIA
Image 1
▢ Classification:
❖ Division: Bryophyta
❖ Class: Hepaticopsida
❖ Common Name: Liverwort
▢ Habitat:
❖ Condition: Found in sciophytic conditions.
▢ Plant Body:
❖ General Features:
  • •
    Plant body is thalloid, prostrate and dichotomously branched.
  • •
    The lower region is compact and functions as the storage region.
  • •
    The upper region is photosynthetic.
❖ Ventral Surface:
◉ Rhizoids:
◈ Nature: Unicellular
◈ Types:
Smooth-walled rhizoids
Tuberculated rhizoids
Image 1
Image 1
◉ Scales: Multicellular scales are present.
❖ Dorsal Surface:
◉ Air Pores:
  • •
    Appear as black spots.
  • •
    Remain present throughout the life cycle.
◉ Gemma Cups: Produced during the reproductive season.
▢ Internal Structure:
❖ Lower Storage Region:
  • •
    Compact in structure
  • •
    Made up of parenchymatous tissue
  • •
    Functions in storage
❖ Upper Photosynthetic Region:
  • •
    Contains rows of small chlorophyllous cells
  • •
    Contains air pores
  • •
    Performs photosynthesis
▢ Reproduction:
❖ Vegetative Reproduction:
◉ Methods:
  • •
    Fragmentation
  • •
    Death and decay of older parts
  • •
    Formation of gemmae
◉ Gemma:
◈ Development: Each gemma develops into two new plants.
❖ Sexual Reproduction:
Image 1
◉ Nature: Dioecious; male and female reproductive structures occur on separate plants.

Table 1: Male and Female Reproductive Structures of Marchantia

Feature
Male Plant
Female Plant
Reproductive structure
Antheridiophore
Archegoniophore
Receptacle shape
Disc-shaped or plate-shaped
Umbrella-shaped or star-shaped
Receptacle function
Bears antheridia
Bears archegonia
Sex organ
Antheridium
Archegonium
Contents or products
◉ Male Gametes:
  • •
    Biflagellate
  • •
    Curved
◉ Archegonial Contents:
  • •
    One egg cell
  • •
    One venter canal cell
  • •
    Four to six neck canal cells
    Image 1
    Image 1
Image 1
◉ Chemotaxis:
◈ Movement: Male gametes show chemotactic movement toward the archegonium.
◈ Stimulating Substances:
  • •
    \(K^+\)
  • •
    Protein
◉ Fertilization:
◈ Type: Internal
◈ Sequence:
  1. Fusion of male gamete with the egg forms a diploid zygote.
  2. The zygote develops into an embryo.
  3. The embryo differentiates into a sporophyte.
▢ Sporophyte:
Image 1
❖ Origin: Develops from the embryo formed after fertilization.
❖ Capsule Contents:
◉ Spores:
◈ Ploidy: Haploid
◈ Function: Germinate after dispersal to produce a new Marchantia plant.
◉ Elaters:
◈ Ploidy: Diploid
◈ Features:
  • •
    Sterile cells
  • •
    Hygroscopic
  • •
    Spindle-shaped
  • •
    Help in spore dispersal
❖ Spore Germination: After release from the capsule, the spores germinate and develop into new Marchantia plants.
📚
FUNARIA
Image 1
▢ Classification:
❖ Class: Bryopsida
❖ Common Name: True moss
▢ Habitat:
❖ Condition: Found in sciophytic conditions.
▢ Plant Body:
Image 1
❖ Nature: Dimorphic
❖ Forms:
◉ Protonema:
◈ Stage: Young or juvenile stage
◈ Ploidy: Haploid
◈ Structure: Green, branched and filamentous
◉ Adult Plant:
◈ Habit: Erect
◈ Differentiation:
  • •
    Rhizoids
  • •
    Axis
  • •
    Phylloids

Table 1: Protonema and Adult Plant of Funaria

Feature
Protonema
Adult Plant
Stage
Young or juvenile stage
Mature gametophytic stage
Ploidy
Haploid
Haploid
Structure
Filamentous and branched
Erect and differentiated
Main parts
Green filaments
◉ Parts:
  • •
    Rhizoids
  • •
    Axis
  • •
    Phylloids
Development
Develops from a germinating spore
Develops from buds formed on the protonema
Image 1
Image 1
❖ Rhizoids:
◉ Nature: Root-like structures
◉ Features:
  • •
    Multicellular
  • •
    Branched
  • •
    Help in attachment and absorption
❖ Axis:
◉ Nature: Stem-like structure
◉ Internal Structure:
  • •
    Epidermis
  • •
    Central cylinder
❖ Phylloids:
◉ Nature: Leaf-like structures
◉ Parts:
  • •
    Midrib
  • •
    Wing
❖ Stomata:
◉ Axis and Phylloids: Absent
◉ Capsule: Present
❖ Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is also present in the capsule.
▢ Reproduction:
❖ Vegetative Reproduction:
◉ Methods:
  • •
    Fragmentation
  • •
    Bulbil formation
  • •
    Apospory
  • •
    Protonema
◉ Fragmentation: Fragments of the plant body develop into new plants.
◉ Bulbil Formation: Bulbils separate and develop into new gametophytic plants.
◉ Apospory: A gametophyte develops directly from sporophytic tissue without spore formation.
◉ By Protonema: Buds formed on the protonema develop into adult leafy gametophytes.
❖ Sexual Reproduction:
Image 1
◉ Nature: Oogamous
◉ Sex Organs:
◈ Antheridium:
■ Location: Present on the male axis.
■ Protection:
  • •
    Protected by perigonial leaves
  • •
    Surrounded by sterile paraphyses
■ Function: Produces male gametes.
■ Male Gametes:
  • •
    Biflagellate
  • •
    Curved
  • •
    Motile
◈ Archegonium:
■ Location: Present on the female axis.
■ Shape: Flask-shaped
■ Protection:
  • •
    Protected by perichaetial leaves
  • •
    Surrounded by sterile paraphyses
■ Contents:
  • •
    One egg cell
  • •
    One venter canal cell
  • •
    Six to ten neck canal cells
◉ Paraphyses: Sterile, multicellular structures that protect both antheridia and archegonia.
◉ Chemotaxis:
◈ Description: Male gametes move chemotactically toward the archegonium.
◈ Stimulating Substance: Sucrose or cane sugar
◉ Fertilization:
◈ Type: Internal
◈ Requirement: Water is required for the movement of male gametes.
◈ Sequence:
  1. Male gametes are released from the antheridium.
  2. A male gamete enters the archegonium.
  3. Fusion with the egg forms a diploid zygote.
  4. The zygote develops into an embryo.
  5. The embryo develops into a sporophyte.

Table 1: Male and Female Reproductive Structures of Funaria

Feature
Antheridium
Archegonium
Sex
Male
Female
Protective leaves
Perigonial leaves
Perichaetial leaves
Additional protection
Paraphyses
Paraphyses
Shape
Club-shaped
Flask-shaped
Contents
Numerous biflagellate, curved male gametes
◉ Contents:
  • •
    One egg cell
  • •
    One venter canal cell
  • •
    Six to ten neck canal cells
Image 1
Image 1
▢ Sporophyte:
❖ Origin: Develops from the embryo formed after fertilization.
❖ Dependency: Remains attached to and nutritionally dependent on the gametophyte.
❖ Main Parts:
◉ Foot:
◈ Position: Basal part
◈ Function:
  • •
    Attaches the sporophyte to the gametophyte
  • •
    Absorbs nutrients from the gametophyte
◉ Seta:
◈ Position: Middle elongated stalk
◈ Function:
  • •
    Supports and elevates the capsule
  • •
    Facilitates spore dispersal
◉ Capsule:
◈ Position: Terminal part
◈ Function:
  • •
    Produces spores
  • •
    Stores spores until maturity
  • •
    Assists in controlled spore dispersal
Image 1
◈ Main Regions:
■ Apophysis:
● Position: Lowermost basal region
● Features:
  • •
    Contains stomata
  • •
    Contains chloroplasts
  • •
    Performs photosynthesis
■ Theca:
● Position: Middle fertile region
● Function: Contains the spore-producing tissue and spores.
● Columella:
⟣ Nature: Central sterile tissue
⟣ Function:
  • •
    Provides mechanical support
  • •
    Helps in conduction
■ Operculum:
● Position: Uppermost lid-like part
● Function: Falls off at maturity to expose the peristome teeth.
◈ Annulus:
■ Position: Present between the operculum and theca.
■ Nature: Ring of specialized cells
■ Functions:
  • •
    Helps in dehiscence of the capsule
  • •
    Facilitates separation of the operculum
  • •
    Assists in spore dispersal
◈ Peristome Teeth:
■ Total Number: 32
■ Arrangement: Arranged in two rows of 16 teeth each, represented as \(16 + 16 = 32\).
■ Nature: Hygroscopic
■ Function: Regulate gradual spore dispersal according to atmospheric moisture.
◈ Spores:
■ Ploidy: Haploid
■ Formation: Produced by meiosis inside the capsule.
■ Germination:
  1. Mature spores are released from the capsule.
  2. Each spore germinates to form a protonema.
  3. Buds develop on the protonema.
  4. The buds grow into adult leafy gametophytic plants.
▢ Life Cycle Sequence:
  1. Haploid spore germinates.
  2. A filamentous protonema is formed.
  3. Buds arise on the protonema.
  4. Buds develop into adult gametophytic plants.
  5. Antheridia and archegonia produce male and female gametes.
  6. Internal fertilization forms a diploid zygote.
  7. The zygote develops into an embryo.
  8. The embryo forms a sporophyte consisting of foot, seta and capsule.
  9. Meiosis inside the capsule produces haploid spores.
  10. Spores are dispersed and germinate to repeat the life cycle.
Q1.
Bryophytes differ from pteridophytes in having a:
📅CEE MBBS 2025
Q2.
The sporophyte of Marchantia is best described as:
📅CEE MBBS 2024B
Q3.
Gemma cups are present in:
📅CEE MBBS 2024a
Q4.
Which statement about Marchantia is INCORRECT?
📅CEE MBBS 2021
Q5.
Which one of the following lack vascular tissues?
📅MOE 206
Q6.
The amphibians of plant kingdom is: 
📅MOE 2003
Q7.
Perichaetium is found in:
📅MOE 2002
Q8.
Marchantia belongs to which of the following class?
📅MOE 2002
Q9.
Ventral canal cell found in the archegonium of Marchantia is:
📅MOE 2058
Q10.
Tuberculated rhizoids are found in:
📅MOE 2000
Q11.
Gametophyte of Marchantia is: 
📅MOE 2056
Q12.
In archegonium of moss, the cell just above the egg cell is :
📅MOE 2055
Q13.
Conjugation results in the formation of:
📅MOE 2054
Q14.
Elaters of Marchantia are found in:
📅MOE 2053
Q15.
Moss capsule is
📅MOE 2052
Q16.
Bryophytes consists of:
📅IOM 2000
Q17.
All of the following are true for bryophyta except: 
📅IOM 1997
Q18.
What happen if mature moss sporophyte is detached from the moss plant carefully:
📅IOM 1997
Q19.
Chlorophyll is found in:
📅IOM 1996
Q20.
Annulus of moss capsule separates
📅BPKIHS 1994
Q21.
Haploid plant body is found in:
📅BPKIHS 1999
Q22.
Protonema is the:
📅BPKIHS 1998
Q23.
True moss is
📅BPKIHS 2005
Q24.
Which of the following is an aquatic not bryophyte?
Q25.
Sterile leaves that surround the archegonium of Funaria is
📅IE 2008
Q26.
Embryonic development of bryophytes occur in
📅IE 2006
Q27.
Pseudoelaters are present in
📅MOE 2069
Q28.
The characteristic feature of bryophytes in plant  kingdom is 
📅BPKIHS - 2015
Q29.
Funaria differ from Cycas due to the following reason.
📅BPKIHS - 2014
Q30.
Rhizoids of Riccia are 
📅BPKIHS - 2013
Q31.
Peristome of Funaria has
📅BPKIHS-2011, 2009
Q32.
Protonema is the stage in the life cycle of
📅IOM-2015
Q33.
In moss, capsule represents 
📅MOE 2014
Q34.
Hornwort is named for
📅MOE 2012
Q35.
Independent sporophytes of bryophytes are found in
📅MOE 2068
Q36.
Peristome of capsule in Funaria helps in
📅MOE 2010
Q37.
Elaters and pseudoelaters help in
📅MOE 2010