Bryophytes || Main plant body || Gametophytes || Rhizoids, Scals & Thallus structure |

Описание: Bryophytes || Main plant body || Gametophytes || Rhizoids, Scals & Thallus structure | #nsbioworld

Structure of Gametophyte in Bryophytes

The gametophyte is the dominant, green, photosynthetic and independent phase in bryophytes. It develops from a spore and bears the sex organs (antheridia and archegonia).

General Structure

The gametophyte body is haploid (n) and multicellular.

It may be thalloid (flat, dorsiventral body) or leafy (differentiated into stem-like and leaf-like parts).

True roots, stems and leaves are absent.


Parts of Gametophyte

1. Thallus / Leafy Body

In liverworts (e.g., Marchantia), the gametophyte is thalloid, flat and dorsiventral.

In mosses (e.g., Funaria), the gametophyte is leafy, with a central axis and spirally arranged leaf-like structures.

The body is generally one cell thick, except in the midrib region.



2. Rhizoids

Rhizoids are hair-like structures present on the ventral side.

They help in anchorage and absorption of water.

In liverworts, rhizoids are unicellular.

In mosses, rhizoids are multicellular and branched.



3. Internal Tissue Differentiation

True vascular tissues are absent.

In some mosses, primitive conducting cells are present:

Hydroids for water conduction

Leptoids for food conduction




4. Sex Organs

Gametophyte bears antheridia (male) and archegonia (female).

Sex organs are usually present at the apex of the gametophyte or on specialized branches.

Bryophytes may be monoecious or dioecious.




Special Feature

The gametophyte is long-lived and nutritionally independent, unlike the sporophyte which remains attached to it.


➡ NEET Point: Dominant generation in bryophytes is gametophyte, not sporophyte.