Biology 11
Name:
Characteristics of Bryophyta
Introduction
Mosses, liverworts and hornworts are members of the phylum Bryophyta. All
thrive in wet, terrestrial environments, growing abundantly ni swamps, marshes,
near streams and rainforests. In this investigation, you will observe some
characteristics of some moss and liverwort specimens.
Materials
Dissecting and compound microscope, small clump of Polytrichum moss,
prepared slides of Mnium antheridia and archegonia.
Observations
From your textbook, identify some general structural characteristics of the
members of Phylum Bryophyta.
_________________________________________________________________
1.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2.
Identify some specific features of
i) Mosses
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
i.
Liverworts
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
ii.
Hornworts
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3.
Examine a small clump of Polytrichum moss under the dissecting microscope.
Biology 11
Name:
Characteristics of Bryophyta
Draw the moss in the space below and label the gametophyte, the
sporophyte, the spore containing capsule, the leaflike structures, the stemlike
structures and the rhizoids.
4.
Carefully separate a sporophyte from a gametophyte. A sporophyte consists
of one stalk with a capsule on it. The green ‘leafy’ part is the female
gametophyte. Notice the capsule has a cap on it.
5.
To examine the contents of the capsule, carefully remove the cap. Place a
drop of water on a glass slide and squeeze the contents of the capsule into
the water. Cover with a cover slip and record your observations.
Magnification
Spores and capsule
Biology 11
Name:
Characteristics of Bryophyta
6.
Examine the slides of the Mnium archegonia and antheridia and draw
simplified diagrams of main tissues. Label the sperm in the antheridia and an
egg in the archegonia.
Magnification
Antheridia
Archegonia
Questions
Magnification
Biology 11
Name:
Characteristics of Bryophyta
What structural differences allow a moss to be more successful on land than
alga?
_________________________________________________________________
1.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Why is moss not usually found growing in areas of little rainfall? Provide two
reasons.
_________________________________________________________________
2.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Why do moss plants grow close to the ground?
_________________________________________________________________
3.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Gardeners often add sphagnum moss to soil. How might this be helpful.
_________________________________________________________________
4.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
5.
In mosses, which generation produces
a.
spores?
______________________________________
b.
Sperm and egg? ______________________________________
6.
Is the spore producing generation haploid or diploid?
________________
7.
Is the gamete producing generation haploid or diploid?
________________
8.
In what type of environment is fertilization likely to occur?
_________________________________________________________________