Explain the method of sexual reproduction in non-vascular cryptogams

Explanation

Sexual reproduction is Oogamous. Antheridia and Archegonia are produced in a protective covering and are multicellular
(ii) The antheridia produces biflagellate antherozoids which swims in thin film of water and reach the archegonium and fuse with the egg to form diploid zygote
(iii) Water is essential for fertilization
(iv) The zygote is the first cell of the sporophyte generation. It undergoes mitotic division to form multicellular undifferentiated embryo. The embryogeny is exoscopic (the first division of the zygote is transverse and the apex of the embryo develops from the outer cell). The embryo divides and give rise to sporophyte
(v) The sporophyte is dependent on gametophy
(vi) It is differentiated into three recognizable parts namely foot, seta and capsule. Foot is the basal portion and is embedded in the gametophyte through which water and nutrients are supplied for the sporophyte
(vii) The diploid spore mother cells found in the capsule region undergoes meiotic division and give rise to haploid spores. Bryophytes are homosporous
(viii) In some sporophytes elaters are present and help in dispersal of spores eg. Marchantia.
(ix) The spores germinate to produce gametophyte