Life Sciences
Grade: 11
TOPIC: Biodiversity of Plants
SUB-TOPIC: Bryophytes
Lesson
Presenter: MAKOSONKE AS
Classification of plants
Plants
Pteridophyte
Bryophytes Gymnosperm Angiosperm
s
Phylogenetic tree/Cladogram
Evolution is a gradual process that causes changes in
the characteristics in a population across many
successive generations.
A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that shows
the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
The organisms that appeared first (common ancestors)
are found at the base of the ‘trunk’ of this tree.
Phylo = organism’s phylum group and genetic = from
the genes/relationship between the genes.
Phylogenetic tree/ Cladogram
The lines of the phylogenetic tree show the lines of
descent:
• Group A, B and C all descended from the common
ancestor E.
• Group E gave rise to groups A and D.
• Group D gave rise to groups B and C.
• Group B and C are closely related.
• Group A and Group B are not as
closely related as Group B and C.
Evolution of plants
Question on phylogenetic trees/Cladograms
1. Which number represents the:
a) Common ancestor for all the present
day species in the phylogenetic
tree?
1P
b) The common ancestor for species A
and3PB?
Question on phylogenetic trees/Cladograms
3. Is specie A more closely related to
species B or C?
BP
4. Explain your answer in question 3.
Species A and B share a more recent
common ancestor than species A and
C P
Division Bryophyta
• Bryophytes are the most primitive terrestrial
plants.
• The division Bryophyta includes:
mosses, liverworts and hornworts.
• Mosses are commonly found in damp, shady
areas.
Characteristics of Bryophytes
Characteristics of Bryophytes
Mosses are generally small (< 20 cm).
They do not have true roots, stems or leaves. For this
reason, the plant body is referred to as a thallus.
Water can be absorbed directly through the leaves
because there is not a waxy cuticle covering the
leaves.
The leaves are not true leaves and are often referred to
as ‘leaflets’.
Characteristics of Bryophytes
The size of mosses is limited because they do not have any conducting tissues i.e. no
xylem or phloem (vascular tissue) is present.
Characteristics of Bryophytes
Rhizoids at the base of the plant
are responsible for anchoring the
plant to a substrate.
They are not true roots.
Reproduction of Bryophytes
• Bryophytes can reproduce
either asexually or sexually.
• The plants life cycle consists of
two generations.
• The gametophyte generation is
the dominant generation and
consists of a green leafy plant,
capable of photosynthesis.
• Sperm cells and egg cells are
produced in male and female
reproductive organs.
Reproduction of Bryophytes
• Spores produced in
sporophyte
generation: spread
through wind.
• Needs water for
reproduction.
• No fruits or seeds
produced.
Life cycle of Bryophytes- Alternating generations
Need water for
fertilisation
QUESTION
Look at the diagram of a moss plant below and answer the
questions below:
1. To which division does this plant
belong?
Bryophyte
2. Why is the plant body called a
thallus?
They do not have true roots, stems or
leaves .
QUESTION
Look at the diagram of a moss plant below and answer the
questions below:
3. What are the structures called that anchor
the plant?
Rhizoids
4. Identify the generation labelled:
4.1. A
Sporophyte
4.2. B
Gametophyte
QUESTION
Look at the diagram of a moss plant below and answer the
questions below:
5. Why are moss plants usually found in damp
areas?
Moss do not have conducting tissue and the
leaves absorbs water directly
Moss needs water for fertilisation
that is why it is important to grow in places
where water is readily available
THANK YOU
