Q.20 Plant group that is also known as amphibians of the plant kingdom is
- Thallophytes
- Bryophytes
- Pteridophytes
- Angiosperms
Bryophytes are known as amphibians of the plant kingdom. The correct answer is Bryophytes.
Option Analysis
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Thallophytes: Incorrect. These are primitive algae (e.g., Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra) with undifferentiated thallus bodies, fully aquatic, lacking vascular tissue or embryo; not amphibious.
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Bryophytes: Correct. Mosses, liverworts, hornworts (e.g., Funaria, Marchantia) require water for fertilization (flagellated sperm swim to egg) but live on moist land; sporophyte depends on gametophyte, earning “amphibians of plant kingdom” nickname.
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Pteridophytes: Incorrect. Ferns, horsetails (e.g., Dryopteris) have vascular tissue for true land adaptation, independent sporophyte dominant; gametophyte small but water-dependent fertilization.
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Angiosperms: Incorrect. Flowering plants (e.g., rice, rose) fully terrestrial with seeds, pollen tubes for water-independent fertilization, advanced vascular systems.
Introduction to Amphibians of Plant Kingdom Bryophytes
Amphibians of plant kingdom bryophytes describes mosses needing water for reproduction yet colonizing damp land, bridging aquatic algae and terrestrial vascular plants.
Bryophyte Characteristics
Bryophytes feature gametophyte-dominant life cycle, protonema from spores, multicellular rhizoids (no true roots), no vascular tissue. Fertilization requires external water; sporophyte parasitic on gametophyte.
Why “Amphibians”?
Like amphibians, bryophytes transitioned from water (swimming sperm) to land (moist terrestrial habitat) but can’t fully escape aquatic dependence for sex.
Group Habitat Vascular Tissue Fertilization Dominant Phase Thallophytes Aquatic No Water Thallus Bryophytes Moist land No Water-required Gametophyte Pteridophytes Land Yes Water-required Sporophyte Angiosperms Land Yes Pollen tube Sporophyte Ecological Role
Bryophytes pioneer soil formation, prevent erosion, retain moisture; key in peat formation (carbon sinks).
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