Embryophytes

Question 1

5 Characteristics of plants (embryophytes)

Answer 1

1. Alternation of Generations
2. Multicellular gametangia
3. Multicellular sporangia
4. Matrotrophic embryo
5. Sporopollenin

Question 2

Matrotrophy

Answer 2

“Mother Nutrition”

• Embryo is retained on mother gametophyte (feeds and shelters embryo)
• All land plants

Question 3

Sporopollenin

Answer 3

Tough, decay resistant coat that surrounds land plant spores

• Protects from desiccation and disease
• All land plants

Question 4

2 Groups of Embryophytes

Answer 4

• Bryophytes-3 divisions

- Tracheophytes (vascular plants)-7 divisions

Question 5

Bryophyte Divisions

Answer 5

Anthocerophyta, Marchantiophyta, Bryophyta

Question 6

Bryophyte characteristics

Answer 6

Lack vascular tissue

• Dominant gametophyte generation (free living and photosynthetic)
• Parasitic sporophyte
• No tissue specialization

Question 7

Bryophyte gametophytes

Answer 7

• Dominant phase of life cycle
• Free living
• Persistant
• Thallus, “stem-leaf” structure with rhizoids

Question 8

Bryophyte Sporophyte

Answer 8

Nonphotosynthetic and parasitic

• Attached to gametophyte
• Foot (embedded in gametophyte), seta, sporangium (capsule)

Question 9

Seta

Answer 9

Elongated part of sporophyte for spore dispersal

Question 10

Cool stuff about Bryophytes

Answer 10

Extremely diverse

• Can grow in harsh environments and on bare rock
• Can live in low light

Question 11

Anthocerophyta (Hornworts)

Answer 11

Species diversity-8th
Eco Divers-limited distribution 
-Most basal embryophyte 
1. Gametophyte is thallus
2. Single chloroplast w/ pyrenoids
3. Sporophyte lacking a seta
4. Sporangium with basal meristem

Question 12

Anthocerophyta Gametophyte

Answer 12

Simple thallus

• One chloroplast per cell with:
• Pyrenoids: starch organizing area
• Ancestral features

Question 13

Anthocerophyta Sporophyte

Answer 13

Foot

• Seta absent
• Basal meristem-continuously produces new spores

Question 14

Hepatophyta/Marchantiophyta (Liverworts)

Answer 14

Species Divers-4th
Eco Divers- worldwide, moist shady areas
1. Oil bodies in cytoplasm
2. Gametangiophores
3. Gemmae Cups
4. Elaters in capsule

Question 15

Hepatophyta Gametophyte

Answer 15

Complex, differentiated thallus

• Upper surface has pores, air chambers, photosynthetic tissue
• Lower surface has rhizoids

Question 16

Gametangiophores (Hepatophyta)

Answer 16

• Fertile branches w. gametangia
  1. Archegoniophores: bear archegonia (look like palm trees)
  2. Antheridiophores: bear antheridia (stalk w/ flat head)

Question 17

Gemmae Cups

Answer 17

Asexual propagules

• Splashed out by rain
• Hepatophyta

Question 18

Hepatophyta Sporophyte

Answer 18

Located under surface of archegoniophore

-Foot, seta, short capsule

Question 19

Capsule

Answer 19

Filled with spores

-Elaters: long skinny, twist in response to humidity and disperse spores

Question 20

Bryophyta (the mosses)

Answer 20

Sp Divers-2nd
Eco divers-worldwide, dominant in tundra, bogs, and wetlands
1. Protonema
2. "stem-leaf" structure
3. Unique capsules

Question 21

Protonema

Answer 21

• Bryophyta
• Initial gametophyte growth phase
• Branching filaments, green and photosynthetic
• Buds produce adult gametophytes

Question 22

Bryophyta Sporophyte

Answer 22

Foot, seta, capsule surrounded by calyptra

Question 23

Calyptra

Answer 23

Remains of ventor (part of old archegonium)

• Ruptured when capsule is mature
• Differ in dehiscence mechanisms

Question 24

Explosive dehiscence

Answer 24

Peat moss

1. Capsule has lid called operculum
2. Mature capsule dries and fills with gas
3. Gas heats, capsule explodes, spores disperse

Question 25

Environmental Impact of Peat Moss

Answer 25

Acidify environment
Peat does not decompose
-Can be burned for fuel

Question 26

Peristome

Answer 26

Ring of teeth under operculum (capsule lid)

• Open when dry
• Close when moist