Algae, mosses and ferns Jimmy 6S 24

Algae Protoctist Autotrophic Eukaryotic, simple and photosynthetic No roots, stems, leaves, and vascular tissues Possess cell wall Most contain chlorophyll and are green in color Some contain other photosynthetic pigments and are brown or red in color

Algae can be unicellular multi-cellular colonies (cells aggregated) and filamentous (cells arranged end to end) The multi-cellular ones have an undifferentiated body called thallus

spirogyra Un-branched filamentous green algae Spirally coiled chloroplasts (increase surface area for absorbing light energy) Mucilage (prevent desiccation and predation) Two layers of cell wall, one is pectin and the other is cellulose

fucus Large marine brown algae Found in the inter-tidal zones of rocky seashores The thallus consists holdfast, stipe and fronds The whole body is covered by mucilage Possess air bladders

habitats Aquatic areas like fresh water, marine water Terrestrial areas like moist surfaces of soil, rock and tree bark Many algae are phytoplankton and suspended in water

Mosses plant Grow in shady and damp areas Possess rhizoids, simple stems and leaves No a vascular system and cuticle No flowers and seeds Leaves are like spirally arranged blades

Reproduction of mosses Rely on water for reproduction Possess capsules Spores are released from capsules The spores develop into a new plant under suitable environment So the mosses can inhabit the terrestrial Environment

Habitats of mosses Grow in some moist environment Absorb water and minerals directly through the body surfaces Grow in dense colonies Prevent soil erosion Act as soil conditioner

Ferns Terrestrial plants growing in shady and humid places Possess stems, leaves (fronds), adventitious roots and vascular bundles Fronds are large, thin and delicate No seeds, flowers and fruits

Special features of ferns Presence of sporangium A spore-bearing structure for reproduction Form clusters, sori Found on the lower surface of the fronds

Habitats and its adaptive features Rocks, walls, fields, deserts, mountains Slow-growing (low light density) Fronds grow above the plant (spore dispersion) Thicker cuticle and epidermal layer (reduce water loss) With thicker and tougher fronds (ferns growing in exposed areas)

Epiphytic ferns Plants growing on surface of other plants Possess small but thick fronds Fronds have thick cuticle and sunken stomata (reduce water loss) An epiphytic bromeliad