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: Since bryophytes do not depend on root structures for nutrient uptake like vascular plants, they are able to survive in environments that vascular plants cannot (e.g., on the surface of rocks). All bryophytes have a dominant gametophyte stage in their life cycle. During this stage, the plant is haploid and the sex organs that produce the gametes are developed. Bryophytes are unique compared to many other plant species in that they remain in this stage for long periods. The sporophytes (the diploid form of the plant) of bryophytes are unbranched, producing a single spore-producing capsule ( sporangium ). 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.