Nonvascular Plants

Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts Moss ->

Liverworts ^ Hornworts ^ Nonvascular Plants – Bryophytes

● *Exist in three classes: Mosses, hornworts, and liverworts ● * A plant that lacks specialized tissues ● *Small and low to the ground ● *All live in damp environment ● *Does not have roots, stems, or real leaves ● *Uses alternation of generation to reproduce ● *All reproduce with spores Mosses, Liverworts, and Hornworts Life Cycle ● *ALTERNATION OF GENERATION: two phases of reproduction: first the gametophytes which leads to sporophytes ● It is a cycle and can start at any point *Spores: small, dust-like particles that float off and grow new plants *Water is required for the process for gametes to travel

Mosses

● Grow in damp environments ● *Reproduce with spores ● *Mosses grow on soil, the bark of trees, and rocks Moss Continued

● *Mosses are soft and leafy: almost like carpet Liverworts

● Liverworts also grow in damp environments ● *Reproduce with spores ● *Liverworts named after their liver appearing shape Liverworts Continued

Liverworts sporophytes are either like rubbery, green flowers or bulbs on a stem Hornworts ● *Hornworts are named for their long horn like structures: which is their sporophytes ● Least common non-vascular plant (less than 150 types) ● Also grow near the ground in damp environments Follow up

Class discussion (points to think about) ● Why are nonvascular plants small? ● How are they unique to other plants (vs vascular plants) in structure and size? ● Why does the structure effect size?

Homework: -Briefly describe how each of the classes of non-vascular plants are unique in appearances. -Fill in the life cycle (alternation of generation) including gametophyte, sporophyte, spores, gametes, and zygote.