Bryophytes and Pterophytes Quiz

Bryophytes

• Bryophytes are spore-bearing, non-vascular plants, such as mosses.
• They have stems and leaves, but not true roots.
• Instead of roots, they have rhizoids, which are hair-like structures that anchor them in place.
• Bryophytes are moisture-dependent because they need water for survival and reproduction, as it aids in spore dispersion.
• Parts of bryophytes:
  • Seta: A stalk-like structure that holds up the capsule, helping in spore dispersion.
  • Capsule: A sporophyte that produces, holds, and releases spores.
  • Leaves: Bryophyte leaves are considered untrue or incomplete.
  • Rhizoids: Rhizoids function as "roots" for bryophytes, but they cannot absorb water. Their sole purpose is to keep the plant anchored down.

Pterophytes

• Pterophytes are spore-bearing plants with a complete vascular system.
• They have fronds, which are their leaves.
• Pterophytes include ferns, horsetails (named for their brush-like stems), and whisk ferns.
• Pterophytes are vascular, meaning they have xylems and phloems, allowing them to grow larger than bryophytes.
• Parts of pterophytes:
  • Sorus: A sporophyte that produces and holds spores to be released.
  • Sporangium: Part of the sporophyte that releases the spores produced and held by the sori.
  • Frond: Fronds act as leaves and are where the sori are usually found.
  • Fiddlehead: A young sporophyte that sprouts to provide energy and eventually develops into a frond.
  • Prothallium: A male part that produces sperm cells.
  • Prothalus: The female counterpart to the prothallium, which produces egg cells.
  • Rhizoids: Unlike bryophytes, the rhizoids of pterophytes are able to absorb water.

Gymnosperms

• Gymnosperms are seed-producing plants that do not enclose their seeds inside an ovary.
• They reproduce through cones.
• Gymnosperms are divided into three phyla :
  • Cycadophyta: The second largest group of gymnosperms after conifers.
  • Ginkgophyta: Contains only one surviving species: Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree).
  • Coniferophyta: The largest group of gymnosperms, with 600 species, including pine trees and sequoia trees.
• Gymnosperms are vascular plants, meaning they have xylems and phloems, enabling them to grow larger than bryophytes.
• Parts of gymnosperms:
  • Male cones: Smaller than female cones and part of the gametophyte. They disintegrate after releasing pollen.
  • Female cones: Larger than male cones and also part of the gametophyte. This is where the zygote grows.
  • Megasporangium: Produces female gametes (egg cells).
  • Microsporangium: Produces male gametes (sperm cells).
  • Sporophyte: The gymnosperm tree itself.

Angiosperms

• Angiosperms are seed-producing plants with flowers where their seeds are enclosed in an ovary.
• They are the largest and most diverse group of plants, with over 300,000 species.
• They are vascular, meaning they have xylems and phloems, allowing them to grow larger than bryophytes.
• Parts of angiosperms
  • Gynoecium: The female reproductive part, located in the innermost whorl of a flower. It consists of the ovary, ovules, stigma, and style.
  • Androecium: The male reproductive part. It consists of the pollen grain, microsporangia, anther, and filament.

Test your knowledge on bryophytes and pterophytes, two crucial groups of non-flowering plants. Understand their structures, functions, and differences, including descriptions of parts like seta, capsule, and rhizoids. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of plant biology.