Question

Give general characters and economic importance of bryohytes

Answer 1

Explanation:

→ General Characteristics of Bryophytes :

• Plants occur in damp and shaded areas.
• The plant body is thallus like, i.e. prostrate or erect.
• It is attached to the substratum by rhizoids, which are unicellular or multicellular.
• They have a root-like, stem-like and leaf-like structure and lack true vegetative structure.

The peat moss genus Sphagnum is an economically important bryophyte. The harvesting, processing, and sale of Sphagnum peat is a multimillion-dollar industry. Bryophytes are very important in initiating soil formation on barren terrain, in maintaining soil moisture, and in recycling nutrients in forest vegetation.

Answer 2

Answer:

Bryophyta is formed from the words 'Bryon' and 'Python,' which both imply moss and plants, respectively.

Explanation:

Characteristics of Bryophyta:

1. The plant body is a gametophyte. They grow in areas which are in between the aquatic and terrestrial habitats i.e. amphibious zone and hence known as amphibious plants.

2. They have thalloid or leafy multicellular green plant body.

3. The plant body lacks true roots, stem or leaves.

4. The plants are green and possess chloroplasts.

5. They show autotrophic mode of nutrition.

6. Vascular tissues are completely absent.

7. Sexual reproduction is oogamous.

8. Male reproductive organ is known as antheridium. It is a club shaped structure being borne by a narrow stalk. It produces biflagellate and motile male gametes or antherozoids.

9. The female sex organ is known as archegonium. It is a flask shaped structure having a swollen base and a narrow neck.

10. Water is essential for fertilization.

Economic importance of Bryophyte:

1. Prevention of soil erosion
2. Soil formation
3. Water retention
4. Peat
5. Used as food for animals, mammals, birds.