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Difficulty: EasyThallophytes, Bryophytes, and Pteridophytes

Which group of non-vascular plants is characterized by the presence of root-like rhizoids for anchorage and a dominant haploid gametophyte stage in its life cycle?

  1. BryophytaAnswer
  2. B
    Pteridophyta
  3. C
    Fungi
  4. D
    Gymnospermae

Answer

Bryophyta is the correct answer because bryophytes (such as mosses and liverworts) lack vascular tissues (xylem and phloem), anchor themselves using multicellular or unicellular rhizoids, and spend the majority of their life cycle in a dominant, photosynthetic haploid gametophyte phase.
Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) are non-vascular cryptogams. Because they lack true vascular bundles (xylem and phloem) and true roots, they absorb water through multicellular or unicellular hair-like rhizoids. Their life cycle is uniquely dominated by the free-living, photosynthetic haploid gametophyte generation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify key structural characteristics in the question stem
The organism is non-vascular, has rhizoids rather than true roots, and exhibits a dominant gametophyte stage.
Plant divisions are categorized based on vascularization, body differentiation (roots vs rhizoids), and alternation of generations.
2
Compare characteristics against major plant groups
Bryophytes lack xylem/phloem and have a dominant gametophyte; Pteridophytes and Spermatophytes possess vascular tissues and dominant sporophytes.
Bryophyta is the only major land plant group fulfilling all three criteria.

Key Concept

Structural characteristics and life cycle of Bryophytes
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Thallophytes, Bryophytes, and Pteridophytes

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