Bryophytes grow in moist and shady habitats because

Options

A. Water absorbing system is absent
B. They are aquatic
C. They cannot grow on land
D. They require water for their fertilization.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Bryophytes**: Bryophytes are non-vascular plants, which means they do not have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) for the transport of water and nutrients. This characteristic affects their habitat preferences.

2. **Habitat Requirements**: Bryophytes typically thrive in moist and shady environments. This is primarily because they require a certain level of moisture to survive and reproduce.

3. **Water for Fertilization**: One of the key reasons bryophytes grow in these specific habitats is that they require water for fertilization. In bryophytes, the male gametes (sperm) need water to swim to the female gametes (eggs) for fertilization to occur.

4. **Evaluating Options**:
- **Option 1**: "Water absorbing system is absent" - While bryophytes are non-vascular, this does not directly explain why they grow in moist habitats.
- **Option 2**: "They are aquatic" - This is misleading as not all bryophytes are aquatic; many live in moist terrestrial environments.
- **Option 3**: "They cannot grow on land" - This is incorrect; bryophytes can grow on land but prefer moist conditions.
- **Option 4**: "They require water for fertilization" - This is the most accurate statement, as it directly relates to their reproductive process.

5. **Conclusion**: The correct answer is that bryophytes grow in moist and shady habitats because they require water for fertilization.

**Final Answer**: Bryophytes grow in moist and shady habitats because they require water for fertilization.

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