GROUP C1

QUESTION
DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS, ADAPTATION
AND LIFECYCLE OF NON VASCULAR PLANTS
 INTRODUCTION
• Non-vascular plants also called bryophytes are some of the earliest land-dwelling organisms. They
are small, simple plants that lack true roots, stems, and leaves. Instead, they have specialized
structures called rhizoids, which anchor them to the ground and absorb water and nutrients.
• Bryophytes are called amphibians of the plant kingdom because these plants need both water and
soil for their survival.

• These plants though live in soil but they need water for sexual reproduction.

• The sperm of bryophyte(antherozoids) are flagellate and need water to swim to the eggs.
MOSS PLANT
LIVERWORT
HORNWORTS
 CHARACTERISTICS OF NON
VASCULAR PLANTS
• Lack of specialized tissues: Non-vascular plants lack specialized tissues for
transporting water and nutrients throughout the plant.
• Small size: Non-vascular plants are typically small and grow in damp environments
where they can absorb water directly from the environment.
• Reproduce through spores: Non-vascular plants reproduce through spores rather than
seeds.
• Lack of true roots: Non-vascular plants do not have true roots, but instead have
rhizoids, which are hair-like structures that anchor the plant to the substrate and
absorb water and nutrients.
 Cont....
• Sexual reproduction is oogamous. Meaning that the female gamete is larger in size
and remains immobile whereas the male gamete is small in size and is mobile.
• Male reproductive organ is known as antheridium. It is a club shaped structure
being borne by a narrow stalk. It produces biflagellate and motile male gametes or
antherozoids.
• The female sex organ is known as archegonium. It is a flask shaped structure
having a swollen base and a narrow neck.
• Water is essential for fertilization.
 Cont....
• Limited height: Non-vascular plants have limited height due to the lack of
specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients.
• They have thalloid or leafy multicellular green plant body.
• The plant body lacks true roots, stem or leaves.
• The plants are green and possess chloroplasts.
• They show autotrophic mode of nutrition.
• Vascular tissues are completely absent.
 ADAPTATION OF NON VASCULAR
PLANTS
• Spores: Non-vascular plants reproduce through spores, which are dispersed by wind or water.
• Lack of true roots: Bryophytes do not have true roots like higher plants. Instead, they have rhizoids, which are
thread-like structures that anchor them to the substrate and absorb water and nutrients. This adaptation allows
them to attach to various surfaces and extract necessary resources.
• Moisture-dependent reproduction: Bryophytes have a life cycle that requires water for reproduction. They produce
spores that need to be dispersed in water for successful fertilization. This dependence on water ensures that
bryophytes are most commonly found in moist environments, such as forests, bogs, and damp soil.
• Cuticle and stomata: Bryophytes possess a thin waxy layer called a cuticle on their surface, which helps reduce
water loss. Additionally, they have specialized structures called stomata that can open and close to regulate gas
exchange and prevent excessive water loss. These adaptations allow bryophytes to survive in relatively dry
conditions and prevent desiccation.Tolerance to desiccation:
 Cont....
• Bryophytes have the ability to tolerate desiccation, which means they can dry out and become
dormant when water is scarce. This adaptation allows them to survive in environments with
fluctuating water availability, such as during dry seasons or in exposed areas.
• Gametophyte dominance: Bryophytes have a life cycle with a dominant gametophyte generation. The
gametophyte produces reproductive structures, such as male and female gametangia, which produce
sperm and eggs, respectively. This dominance of the gametophyte stage allows bryophytes to
reproduce and disperse their spores even in unfavorable conditions.
• Symbiotic relationships: Many bryophytes form symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such
as fungi. These associations, known as mycorrhizae, help bryophytes absorb nutrients from the
environment, especially in nutrient-poor habitats. This mutualistic relationship enhances the
adaptability of bryophytes to different ecological conditions.
 LIFECYCLE OF NON VASCULAR
PLANTS
Nonvascular plants (Bryophytes) have a life cycle that alternates between a haploid gametophyte stage and a diploid
sporophyte stage. The gametophyte is the dominant stage and produces gametes through specialized structures called
antheridia (male) and archegonia (female). Life cycle of non vascular plants can be divided into the following stages;
• Spore germination: The life cycle of nonvascular plants begins when haploid spores are released from the
sporangium. These spores are dispersed by wind or water and land on a suitable substrate. When the spore
germinates, it grows into a multicellular, haploid gametophyte.
• Gametophyte growth: The gametophyte is the dominant stage in the life cycle of nonvascular plants. It is the stage
that produces gametes, which are necessary for sexual reproduction. The gametophyte grows and develops into a
mature plant that can reproduce.
• Gamete production: The gametophyte produces gametes through mitosis. The male gamete is called a sperm and
the female gamete is called an egg. The gametes are produced in specialized structures called antheridia and
archegonia, respectively.
 Cont....
• Fertilization: When the sperm and egg meet, they fuse to form a diploid zygote.
This process is called fertilization. The zygote develops into a diploid sporophyte.
• Sporophyte growth: The sporophyte is the second stage in the life cycle of
nonvascular plants. It grows out of the gametophyte and is attached to it by a
structure called the foot. The sporophyte grows and develops into a mature plant
that produces spores.
• Spore production: The sporophyte produces spores through meiosis. The spores are
released from the sporangium and dispersed by wind or water. When the spore
lands on a suitable substrate, the life cycle begins again.
Cont...