Thallophytes: Characteristics and Types

Thallophyte

Characteristics:

• Non-motile, non-flagellated, and non-ciliated
• Lack true roots, stems, and leaves
• Body is not differentiated into organs
• Thallus is the main body of the plant
• Often found in aquatic environments

Types of Thallophytes:

• Algae:
  • Aquatic, simple, and multicellular
  • Can be unicellular or multicellular
  • Examples: Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, and Ulva
• Fungi:
  • Heterotrophic, decomposers, and parasites
  • Obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter or forming symbiotic relationships
  • Examples: Yeast, Molds, and Mushrooms
• Lichens:
  • Symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria
  • Fungus provides protection, while algae or cyanobacteria photosynthesize
  • Examples: Crustose, Foliose, and Fruticose lichens

Reproduction:

• Vegetative reproduction: fragmentation, budding, or vegetative propagation
• Spore formation: produce spores that can germinate into new individuals
• Sexual reproduction: some thallophytes exhibit sexual reproduction, but it's not as common as vegetative reproduction

Thallophyte Characteristics

• Thallophytes are non-motile, non-flagellated, and non-ciliated organisms.
• They lack true roots, stems, and leaves, and their body is not differentiated into organs.
• The main body of the plant is called the thallus.
• Thallophytes are often found in aquatic environments.

Types of Thallophytes

Algae

• Algae are aquatic, simple, and multicellular organisms.
• They can be unicellular or multicellular.
• Examples of algae include Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, and Ulva.

Fungi

• Fungi are heterotrophic, decomposers, and parasites.
• They obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter or forming symbiotic relationships.
• Examples of fungi include yeast, molds, and mushrooms.

Lichens

• Lichens are symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria.
• The fungus provides protection, while algae or cyanobacteria photosynthesize.
• Examples of lichens include crustose, foliose, and fruticose lichens.

Reproduction

• Thallophytes can reproduce through vegetative reproduction, which involves fragmentation, budding, or vegetative propagation.
• They can also reproduce through spore formation, where they produce spores that can germinate into new individuals.
• Some thallophytes exhibit sexual reproduction, but it's not as common as vegetative reproduction.

Plant Kingdom

Angiosperms

• Largest group of plants, comprising around 90% of all plant species
• Produce flowers and fruits
• Seeds are enclosed in an ovary
• Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) present
• Examples: roses, daisies, grasses, and trees like apple and cherry

Characteristics of Angiosperms

• Floral reproductive organs
• Fruits develop from ovaries
• Embryo has two cotyledons in most species

Types of Angiosperms

Monocots

• One cotyledon in the seedling
• Leaves usually have parallel veins
• Stem vascular tissues are scattered
• Examples: grasses, lilies, and orchids

Dicots

• Two cotyledons in the seedling
• Leaves usually have net-like veins
• Stem vascular tissues are arranged in a ring
• Examples: roses, apples, and beans

Gymnosperms

• Seeds are not enclosed in an ovary
• Produce cones instead of flowers
• Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) present
• Examples: pines, spruces, and cycads

Characteristics of Gymnosperms

• Seeds are exposed on the surface of scales
• Cones are reproductive structures
• Embryo has two cotyledons

Types of Gymnosperms

Conifers

• Produce cones and have needle-like leaves
• Examples: pines, spruces, and firs

Cycads

• Produce cones and have palm-like leaves
• Examples: cycad palms and sagos

Ginkgoes

• Produce cones and have fan-shaped leaves
• Examples: ginkgo biloba

Learn about the characteristics of Thallophytes, including their lack of true roots, stems, and leaves, and explore the different types, including Algae and Fungi.