LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

COURSE: BIO 102

TOPIC: BRYOPHYTES, PTERIDOPHYTES AND

SPERMATOPHYTES

BY

DR. A. A. ADU AND DR. K.T. OMOLOKUN 1

 BRYOPHYTES
INTRODUCTION
Bryophytes are the simplest land plants that lack vascular
tissues.
Hence, they are referred to as non-vascular seedless plants.
They are considered to have evolved from algae.
Bryophyta is a Greek word ”BRYON” meaning Moss; and
“Phyton” meaning Plants.
They colonize terrestrial habitat, but they are still dependent
on water for completion of their life cycle.
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The study of bryophytes is known as bryology.
They occupy immediate position between the higher algae
and lower pteridophytes.
They are considered as “Amphibians” of the plant kingdom.
; since they require water for fertilization.
 They are widely distributed throughout the world (notably
moist forest of Tropics, Subtropics and Antarctic).
There are 25,000 species of liverworts and mosses.

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 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BRYOPHYTES
They undergo alternation of generation in which the
gametophyte is dominant.
”Alternation of generation is a phenomenon whereby plants
exhibit two phases (i.e. gametophyte and sporophyte) in their
life cycle”. The phases are two forms of the same plant,
which regularly or alternately follow each other and one
phases dominant at a time.
Gametophyte is a thallus or leafy green plant body.
 Gametophyte is the haploid (n) sexual generation that
produces gametes by mitosis.
Sporophyte is the diploid (2n) asexual generation that
produces spores by meiosis; and it is parasitic or dependent
on gametophyte.
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They lack vascular tissues (i.e. no xylem and phloem).
They have no true stem, leaf and root.
The gametophyte is anchored by filamentous rhizoids. The
rhizoids help to absorb water and mineral salt; and also attach
the plant (i.e gametophyte) to the substratum.
They live mostly in damp shady places.
They are cryptogams (i.e. non –seed producing plants).
 They are oogamous
They are lower in evolutionary line to Pteridophytes.

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 CLASSIFICATION OF BRYOPHYTES
 The division bryophyta is divided into three classes:
Class I:Hepaticopsida OR Hepaticae (commonly refered to as Liverworts)
• Order 1:Marchantiales e.g genus Riccia and genus Marchantia
• Order 2: Jungermanniales e.g genus Pellia and genus Porella

Class II: Anthoceropsida OR Anthocerotae (commonly refered to as Hornworts]

• Order I: Anthocerotales (only order) e.g genus Anthoceros

Class III:Bryopsida OR Musci (commonly referred to as Mosses)

• Order1. Sphanales e.g genus Sphagnum
• Order 2 . Andreaeales e.g genus Andreaea
• Order 3. Bryales (or true mosses) e.g genus Funaria, genus Polytrichum, genus
Barbula
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Classification of Marchantia
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division-Bryophyta
• Class- Hepaticopsida OR Hepaticae
• Order- Marchantiales
• Family- Marchantiaceae
• Genus-Marchantia

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Classification of Funaria
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division-Bryophyta
• Class- Bryopsida OR Musci
• Order- Funariales
• Family- Funariaceae
• Genus-Funaria

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 Characteristics of the Class Hepaticae (Hepaticopsida)
Thalloid liverwort with distinct dichotomous branching taking on a
rosette form.
Thallus have a flattened structure.
 Thalloid with complex upper air chamber and photosynthetic
filament.
Upper surface is a longitudinal groove and lower surface has a role
of scales at the apex; Ventral scales are common and found among
the rhizoids.
Unicellular hairy structures known as the rhizoids are present.
They lack vascular tissues (i.e. no xylem and phloem).
They have no true stem, leaf and root.
The gametophyte is anchored by filamentous rhizoids. The
rhizoids help to absorb water and mineral salt; and also attach
the plant (i.e gametophyte) to the substratum.
They live mostly in damp shady places.
They are cryptogams (i.e. non –seed producing plants).
 They are oogamous
They are lower in evolutionary line to Pteridophytes.

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 Characteristics of the Class Musci (Bryopsida)
• Gametophyte have well differentiated body consisting of axis leaves and rhizoids
• The leaves are arranged in three to eight rows on the axis. Each leaf ha a mid-rib but
no vascular tissue
• Sporophyte differentiated into foot, seta and capsule
• The wall of the capsule consist of several layer of chlorophyllous cells and stomata
• The peristome teeth are present in one or two rows and surround the terminal
opening of the capsule they are absent only in few mosses
• Gametophyte is filamentous or simple thallus called protonema producing upright
branch [gametophytes] which bear the sex organs
• Rhizoids borne by both protonema and gametophyte are multicellular and with
diagonal cross walls
• Sex organs are unique in having early growth stages initiated by an apical cell with
two cutting faces 13
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Ecological Adaptations of Bryophytes
• A waxy cuticle that prevents desiccation.
• Gametangia that protect developing gametes. The gametangia are
antheridium (male gametangium) and archegonium (female
gametangium). The antheridium produces flagellated sperm cells
(male gametes); while the archegonium produces egg (female
gamete).
• Presence of rhizoids for absorption of water and mineral salts from the
soil; and also attach the plant (i.e gametophyte) to the substratum.

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Ecological Importance of Bryophytes
They aid soil formation.
They play important role in soil conservation.
They help in ecological succession.
They aid peat formation.
They play major role in maintaining soil moisture and nutrient
recycling.
They serve as indicator of acid rain.

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 PTERIDOPHYTES
INTRODUCTION
Pteridophytes are referred to as vascular seedless plants (i.e.
they have vascular tissues (i.e. phloem and xylem), they have
no seeds, but have spores.
They are lower and intermediate between bryophytes and
gymnosperms.colonize terrestrial habitat, but they are still
dependent on water for completion of their life cycle.
The possession of vascular tissues is a major evolutionary
advancement over bryophytes and algae.
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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PTERIDOPHYTES
They undergo alternation of generation in which the
sporophyte is dominant.
 The gametophyte is reduces to a small, simple prothallus (i.e
male and female gametophytes).
They are flowerless.
Their leaves are usually large and called fronds specialized
for reproduction.
Spores are produced in sporangia which are usually in cluster
called sori.
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They have vascular tissues (i.e. xylem and phloem) in
sporophyte.
They have true stem, leaf and root..
They are mostly terrestrial.
They are cryptogams (i.e. non - seed producing plants).
 Presence of heterospory (i.e. microspore and megaspore)
in some members. E.g. Selaginella,

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 CLASSIFICATION OF PTERIDOPHYTES
 It is divided into four classes:
Class I: Psilotopsida
• Order 1:Psilotales e.g genus Psilotum and genus Tmesipteris

Class II: Lycopsida

• Order I: Lycopodiales; e.g genus Lycopodium
• Order 2: Selaginellales; e.g. genus Selaginella
• Order 3: Isoetales; e.g. Isoetes
Class III:Sphenopsida
• Order1. Equisetalese.g genus Equisetum
Class iv:Pteropsida
• Order . Filicalese.g genus Dryopteris, genus Nephrolepsis
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Classification of Dryopteris (fern)
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division-Pteridophyta
• Class- Pteropsida OR Filicinae
• Order- Filicales
• Family- Polypodiaceae
• Genus-Dryopteris.

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Classification of Nephrolepsis (fern)
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division-Pteridophyta
• Class- Pteropsida OR Filicinae
• Order- Filicales
• Family- Polypodiaceae
• Genus-Nephrolepsis

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Ecological Adaptations of Pteridophytes
• A waxy cuticle that prevents desiccation.
• Gametangia that protect developing gametes. The gametangia are antheridium (male
gametangium) and archegonium (female gametangium). The antheridium produces flagellated
sperm cells (male gametes); while the archegonium produces egg (female gamete).
• presence of true roots which aid the absorption of water and minerals; as well as for support to the
plants.
• Presence of vascular tissues (i.e. phloem and xylem) which help to conduct water and minerals
from the roots to the rest parts of the plant (i.e xylem); and to transport food from the leaves to
other parts of the plants (i.e. phloem).
• The xylem and sclerenchyma tissues in the petiole and rachis support the leaves of pteridophytes.
• The leaves are rolled in the bud stage to avoid premature destruction.
• The leaf blade is protected by cutin of the epidermis.
• Leaf curling and drought avoidance by cshedding of leaves in the dry season

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 SPERMATOPHYTES
• These are higher vascular plants that produce seed.
• They form most of the present world vegetation.
• The seed habit is considered as an advancement over
heterospory of lower vascular plants.
• They include gymnosperms and angiosperms.
 Characteristics of Spermatophytes
• They undergo alternation of generation in which the sporophyte is
dominant, while the gametophyte is highly reduced.
• Reproductive organs are grouped into cones or strobilli as in
gymnosperms, and flowers as in angiosperms.
• Sporophyte produces two types of spores (i.e. heterosporous). The two
types are microspore (pollen grain) and megaspore (embryo sac).
• The embryo sac remains completely enclosed in the ovule
• Water is not needed for sexual reproduction because the male gametes
do not swim, they are transferred via pollen tube to the ovum to effect
fertilization.
• Complex vascular tissues in roots, stems and leaves.
• They are mainly terrestrial, but some are aquatic representative.
• There is highest degree of inter tissue differentiation.
• Seeds are produced.
• The seeds may be borne naked (gymnosperms) or closed
(angiosperms).
Classification of Spermatophytes
• The two major groups are as follows:
• Gymnosperms: Non-flowering seed plants or naked seed plants
• Angiosperms: Flowering plants or enclosed seed plants

Gymnosperms
• They are group of plants with naked seeds (i.e. not enclosed in an
ovary)
• Their reproductive organs are grouped into cones or strobilus.
Characteristics of Gymnosperms
• Vascular system is well developed, but xylem lacks vessels, and phloem do
not contain companion cells.
• Plant body is differentiated into distinct root and shoot.
• They are heterosporous (i.e producing two types of spores such as
microspore and megaspore) and flowers are primitive.
• Spores are borne or grouped into cones/strobili.
• Agency for pollination is air current or wind.
• No fruits because there is no ovary.
• The xylem elements are always tracheids.
• The phloem tissue contains no companion cells.
• Pollen grains lodge on the nucellus.
• Female gametophyte is relatively large with distinct archegonia embedded
in it, each with an ovum.
Classification of Gymnosperms
• There are four living groups in gymnosperms; which are as follows:
• Division Pinophyta or Coniferophyta : These are conifers; i.e. the
cone bearing trees and shrubs such as pines (e.g. genus Pinus), cedars,
juniper, red wood, spruces, firs and cypresses.
• Division Cycadophyta : These are cycads (e.g. genus Cycas).
• Division Ginkophyta : Represented by a single living tree species (e.g.
Ginkgo biloba).
• Division Gnetophyta :These are woody plants represented by three
genera such as Gnetum, Welwitschia and Ephedra.
• There are eight orders in gymnosperms; but only four are still living;
while the remaining four orders are represented by fossils (i.e. extinct
or non-existing plants). There are 3 well known orders out of the
living gymnosperms. The orders are as follows:
1. Cycadofilicales (fossil or extinct)
2. Bennettiales (fossil or extinct)
3. Pentoxylales (fossil or extinct)
4. Cordaitales (fossil or extinct)
5. Cycadales ((living); family Cycadaceae; e.g Cycas sp.
 6. Coniferales (living); family Abietaceae or Pinaceae; e.g. Pinus sp.
7. Ginkgoales (living); family Ginkgoaceae; e.g. Ginkgo biloba
8. Gnetales (living); Represented by three families and three genera
such as
Family Gnetaceae; genus Gnetum
Family Welwitschiaceae; genus Welwitschia
Family Ephedraceae; genus Ephedra
Classification of a Typical Gymnosperm: Cycas
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division-cycadophyta
• Class- Cycadopsida
• Order- Cycadales
• Family- Cycadaceae
• Genus-Cycas

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 Angiosperms
• These are flowering plants in which their seeds are enclosed in an ovary, which
develops into a fruit.
• Their reproductive organs are grouped into flowers. They are exceptionally large
and successful group of plants.
• They live in all sorts of habitats.
• They dominate most parts of the world where there is vegetation (except in cold
regions with poor soils).
• They also provide most of man’s food and many of its raw materials.
• They are the most numerous plants in terms of biomass and their success can be
attributed to a number of factors; which are as follows:
Production of large number of seeds.
Variability in structure.
Genetic flexibility.
Efficient pollination. 31
Characteristics of Angiosperms
• The plant body is differentiated into distinct shoot and root systems.
• They produce flowers from which sporangia, spores and seeds are developed.
• Their seeds are enclosed in an ovary.
• Their vascular system (i.e. xylem and phloem) is well developed. The xylem is
made up of vessels, while the phloem contain companion cells.
• Pollination is by various agents such as wind, insects and mammals.
• They have well developed flowers with sepals and petals. The flowers are either
unisexual or bisexual.
• The microspore or pollen grains grow into a pollen tube which carries the male
gametes to the position close to the ovules; and the pollen grains are deposited
directly on the stigma.

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• The carpel is differentiated into stigma, style and ovary. The ovary encloses
the ovule. There is little evidence of the presence of male gametophytes, as
it has been reduced to two nuclei, generative and tube nucleus.
• The megasporangium remain enclosed by the integument which are usually
2 in number; and this gives rise to a more complicated structure (i.e. the
ovule). The ovule later develop into seed, and the purpose is for protection
of the embryo.
• The female gametophyte is represented by 8 nucleate embryo sac.

Classification of Angiosperms
• It belongs to the division Magnoliophyta; which is divided into two
classes or groups namely:
• Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledoneae)
• Class Liliopsida (Monocotyledoneae)

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Classification of a Typical Dicot Plant
(e.g.Talinum triangulare)
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division-Magnoliophyta/Angiospermatophyta/Spermatophyta
• Class- Magnoliopsida /Dicotyledoneae
• Order- Caryophyllales
• Family- Portulacaceae
• Genus-Talinum
• Species- Talinum triangulare

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Classification of a Typical Monocot Plant
(e.g. Cyperus esculentus)
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division- Magnoliophyta/Angiospermatophyta/Spermatophyta
• Class- Liliopsida /Monocotyledoneae
• Order- Cyperales
• Family- Cyperaceae
• Genus – Cyperus
• Species-Cyperus esculentus

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 Differences between Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons
S/N • Dicotyledons Monocotyledons
1. Embryo has two cotyledons (seed leaves) Embryo has one cotyledon (seed
leaf)
2. Net-like pattern of veins (reticulate venation) Veins are parallel (parallel
venation)
3. Vascular bundles are arranged in a circle Vascular bundles are scattered in
within stem stem
4. Floral parts mainly in ‘fours’ or ‘fives’ Floral parts usually in ‘threes’
5. Most of them posses tap root system Most of them posses adventitious
root system
6. Examples are pea, rose, buttercup, dandelion, Examples are grasses, iris, orchids,
Talinum triangulare, e.t.c lilies, Cyperus sp. e.t.c
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 (Tap root)
(lateral root)

Diagram of Talinum triangulare (Dicot Plant)

Source: Science Direct.com 37
Structure of a Typical Dicot Plant
SOURCE: Science Direct.com 38
• Diagram of a typical Monocot Plant (Cyperus species)

Diagram of a typical Monocot Plant (Cyperus species)

SOURCE: Science Direct.com
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Adaptation of Seed-Bearing Plants to Life on Land
• The gametophyte generation is reduced. It is always protected inside a
sporophyte.
• Fertilization is not dependent on water. The male gametophytes are
carried by within the pollen grains by wind or insects.
• The fertilized ovule (seed) is retained for some time on the parent
sporophyte from which it obtains protection and food before dispersal.
• Many seed plants show secondary growth with production of large
amount of wood for support. The plants become trees or shrubs and
are able to compete effectively for light and other resources.
• Possession of extensive root system.
• They exhibit seed dormancy which help them to survive adverse
condition.
• The various pollinating agents ensures success of fertilization and
embryo formation, which is limited.
• They have thick cuticle, thick bark, sunken stomata and various
modifications in stem and leaves which help them to reduce water
loss. 40
 Differences between Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
S/N Gymnosperm Angiosperms

1. Seed do not enclosed in a carpel or bear Seed enclosed in a carpel or enclosed in a fruit
naked seed
2. Reproductive organs grouped into Reproductive organs grouped into flowers
cones/strobili
3. Leaves are mostly needle-like or thin Leaves are generally large and broad
4. Xylem consists of tracheids only or lack Xylem consists of vessels and tracheids
vessels
5. Phloem lacks companion cells Phloem possesses companion cells
6. Do not exhibit double fertilization Show double fertilization
7. Restricted in ecological range Widely distributed
8. Often with xerophytic character Include xerophytic, mesophytic and hydrophytic
9. Seeds mainly dispersed by wind Seeds dispersed by a variety of mechanisms(like
water, wind, animals and insects)

10. Gametophyte more prominent Gametophyte reduced 41