Write important characters of division Bryophyta.

Explanation

Important general characters of bryophytes are as follows `:`
(i) Gametophytic plant body is dominant and independently living phase of the life cycle of bryophytes.
(ii) Plant body is adapted to live on land. However, plants require water to complete their life cycle.
(iii) Bryophytes are small sized land plants. Bryophytes lack vascular tissues.
(iv) Bryophytes possess unicellular or multicellular rhizoids for fixation and absorption of water.
(v) Vegetative reproduction occurs through fragmentation, adventitious branches, tubers, buds and gemmae etc.
(vi) Sex organs are multicellular and jacked,i.e., covered by a jacket of sterile cells.
(vii) Sex organs are of two types, male antheridium and female archegonium.
(viii) Sexual reproduction is oogamous. ( Female gamete is larger than male and male gamete is flagellated ) .
(ix) Spermatozoid is biflagellate. Both the flagella are smooth and similar (isokont).
(x) Archegonium is flask-shaped female sex organ. It is made up of a tubular neck and basal venter. Wall of the neck is single layered made up of 5-6 rows of cells Venter has 1-2 layered wall. Venter consists of two cells, a venter canal cell and an egg or oosphere.
(xi) Fertilization occurs inside the archegonia.