Question

Describe diagnostic character of algae, fungi and bryophyta

Answer 1

Algae are useful to man in a variety of ways. At least a half of the total carbon dioxide fixation on earth is carried out by algae through photosynthesis.

Being photosynthetic they increase the level of dissolved oxygen in their immediate environment.

They are of paramount importance as primary producers of energy-rich compounds which form the basis of the food cycles of all aquatic animals.

Many species of Porphyra, Laminaria and Sargassum are among the 70 species of marine algae used as food.

Certain marine brown and red algae produce large amounts of hydrocolloids (water holding substances), e.g., algin (brown algae) and carrageen (red algae) which are used commercially.

Bryophytes are called amphibians of the plant kingdom because these plants can live in soil but are dependent on water for sexual reproduction.

The plant body is commonly differentiated to form stem and leaf-like structures. However, there is no specialized tissue for the conduction of water and other substances from one part of the plant body to another.

Bryophytes in general are of little economic importance but some mosses provide food for herbaceous mammals, birds and other animals.

Species of Sphagnum, a moss, provide peat that have long been used as fuel, and as packing material for trans-shipment of living material because of their capacity to hold water.

Mosses along with lichens are the first organisms to colonise rocks and hence, are of great ecological importance. They decompose rocks making the substrate suitable for the growth of higher plants.

Since mosses form dense mats on the soil, they reduce the impact of falling rain and prevent soil erosion. The bryophytes are divided into liverworts and mosses.