Bryophytes: Mosses Flashcards
1
Q
What are the key characteristics of Bryophytes?
A
- Small compact, green plants
- No vascular bundles
- Need water to reproduce
- Short lived
2
Q
How do bryophytes obtain nutrients?
A
Dust, rainwater, soil water
3
Q
How do bryophytes absorb water?
A
By capillary action
4
Q
Describe the key characteristics of acrocarpous mosses.
A
- Grow upright
- Unbranched
- Archegonia and Antheridia located at tips of shoots
- Sporophyte is also at tips of shoots
- Rhizoids located at base of stem
- Form cushions
5
Q
Describe the key characteristics of pleurocarpous mosses.
A
- Prostrate growth form
- Branched
- Archegonia and Antheridia located in axils of leaves
- Sporophyte also arises from axils
- Rhizoids located along stems
- Generally lie flat on substrate
6
Q
How can you tell the difference between the moss protonema vs. filamentous green algae
A
Moss Protonema
- Oblique cross walls
- Lens-shaped chloroplasts
Filamentous green algae
- Straight cross walls
- Crescent-shaped chloroplasts
