Question

Mention the significance of the sporophyte of Anthoceros

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Anthoceros is a genus of Hornworts or a category of non-vascular plants, consisting of numerous species.

When a sporophyte is formed after the fertilization in anthoceros, it is different from the zygotes of other bryophytes.

Initially, a sporophyte contains only 4 cells and a fully grownup sporophyte may consist of 16 cells, arranged in vertical rows.  A young sporophyte is completely surrounded by fleshy bracts while a fully developed sporophyte contains a swollen base and an elongated capsule.

These mature sporophytes look like stiff hairs or horns, rendering the name ‘hornworts’ to this plant group.

Answer 2

Answer:

In Anthoceros sporophyte is represented by foot, meristematic zone and capsule. The sporophyte produces the spores in the capsule. The spores on germination produce the gametophyte. So, in Anthoceros, two morphologically distinct phases (haplophase and diplophase) constitute the life cycle.