Tag: examples of bryophytes

The peristome lies immediately below the operculum. It consists of two sets of long, conical teeth, one within the other. There are sixteen teeth in each set. The teeth of both the sets are on the same radii and thus opposite to each other.

When the mature capsule begins to dry up the thin walled cells of the annulus break and the operculum is thrown away. Dropping off the operculum is assisted by the outward hygroscopic movement of the underlying peristomial teeth. Due to this movement, slits between the inner thin walled peristomial teeth become wider and spores escape gradually through these slits. In a wet atmosphere, the wet peristomial teeth bend inwards and thus closing the slits and prevent the escape of spores. The seta of the mature sporophyte also exhibits hygroscopic movements. In dry weather, by loosing water, it twists and bents, thus helping in dispersal of spores.

Elaters are present in hepaticopsida (marchantia). Pseudoelators are present in Anthocerotopsida, and elaters are absent in Bryopsida. As funaria belongs to Bryopsida, do not have elaters.

Spore is the first cell of gametophytic generation. On a suitable damp habitat, a meiospore of Funaria germinates into a filamentous green alga-like structure called protonema. Protonema has green epiterranean chloronemal branches (chlornema) and non-green subterranean rhizoidal branches (caulonema). The protonema of moss, represents the juvenile stage of gametophyte. 

A female gametangium of bryophyte differ from fungus multicellular sex organs surround by a single layered jacket of sterile cells.

The haploid phase in the life cycle of Funaria is represented by independent leafy gametophyte. The gametophyte is developed from the spore.

The stem and leaves of Funaria are analogous to those of angiosperms because they perform similar functions (support and photosynthesis) but have different evolutionary origins and structures.

The sporogonium of Funaria is attached to the gametophyte and derives water and minerals from it, though it can perform some photosynthesis.

Protonema is a characteristic juvenile filamentous stage in the life cycle of mosses like Funaria. Riccia is a liverwort, Dryopteris is a fern, and Spirogyra is an alga.

The sporophyte of mosses, which consists of foot, seta, and capsule, is technically referred to as a sporogonium. Sporangium is a general term for a spore-producing structure.