From Bryophytes to Angiosperms

Question 1

What are bryophytes?

Answer 1

Bryophytes are non-vascular plants, including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, that typically thrive in moist environments.

Question 2

What is the main adaptation of bryophytes for survival in moist environments?

Answer 2

Bryophytes have a thin, flat body structure and a high surface area to absorb water directly from the environment.

Question 3

How do bryophytes reproduce without vascular tissues?

Answer 3

Bryophytes rely on water for fertilization, where sperm swim to the egg in water to produce spores that disperse in damp conditions.

Question 4

What is a key feature of bryophytes for preventing water loss?

Answer 4

Bryophytes have a cuticle, though it is thin, which helps reduce water loss in dry conditions but is not as efficient as in vascular plants.

Question 5

How do angiosperms differ from bryophytes in water retention?

Answer 5

Angiosperms have a thicker cuticle and stomata, which help regulate water loss and enable them to survive in a wider range of environments.

Question 6

What adaptation do angiosperms have for efficient water transport?

Answer 6

Angiosperms possess vascular tissues (xylem and phloem), which allow efficient transport of water, nutrients, and sugars, supporting survival in diverse habitats.

Question 7

How do angiosperms adapt to dry environments?

Answer 7

Many angiosperms have deep roots, thick cuticles, and specialized structures like stomatal regulation or CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) photosynthesis to reduce water loss.

Question 8

What reproductive adaptation do angiosperms have compared to bryophytes?

Answer 8

Angiosperms reproduce via flowers, which attract pollinators for fertilization, whereas bryophytes rely on water for fertilization.

Question 9

How do bryophytes adapt to low-light conditions?

Answer 9

Bryophytes often grow in shaded, moist environments where light levels are lower, and their photosynthetic pigments can capture the available light efficiently.

Question 10

What role do seed coats play in angiosperms’ adaptation?

Answer 10

Seed coats in angiosperms protect seeds from desiccation, damage, and pathogens, allowing the plants to survive in a variety of environmental conditions.