Question

Describe the sporophyte of non-vascular cryptogam.

Answer 1

1. The embryo divides and gives rise to the sporophyte.
2. The sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte.
3. It is differentiated into three recognizable parts namely foot, seta and capsule.
4. The foot is the basal portion and is embedded in the gametophyte through which water and nutrients are supplied for the sporophyte.
5. The diploid spore mother cells found in the capsule region undergo meiotic division and give rise to haploid spores. Bryophytes are homosporous.
6. In some sporophytes, elaters are present and help in the dispersal of spores, eg. Marchantia.
7. The spores germinate to produce gametophyte.