Title: Bryophyte - Definition, Characteristics, Life Cycle and Examples
Headings: Bryophyte
Bryophyte
Bryophyte Definition
Bryophyte Characteristics
Bryophyte Life Cycle
Bryophyte Examples
Liverworts
Mosses
Hornworts
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Content: Moreover, the sporophytes are dependent on the gametophyte for nutrition and develops within the female sex organ (archegonia). Bryophyte Life Cycle
The bryophyte lifecycle consists of alternating generations between the haploid gametophyte and the diploid sporophyte. During the gametophyte stage, haploid gametes (male and female) are formed in the specialized sex organs: the antheridia (male) and archegonia (female). The gametes consist of flagellated sperm, which swim via water or are transported by insect species. The two haploid gametes (sperm and egg) fuse, a diploid zygote is formed. As described above, the zygote of bryophytes grows inside the archegonia and will eventually become a diploid sporophyte. Mature sporophytes remain attached to the gametophyte and generate haploid spores via meiosis inside the sporangium. These spores are dispersed, and under favorable environmental conditions become new gametophytes. The lifecycle is shown below.