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The plant kingdom has been divided into many other subclasses that include, Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.
- They have been classified according to the characteristics they possess.
- When we move from lower class to higher class there are some similarities between the two closest generations.
- There are major 2 types of primitive autotrophs found on our planet, they are Algae and Bryophytes.
- Both of them possess some similarities as well as some differences.
In this article, we are going to discuss the differences between the algae and the bryophytes. But before proceeding let’s clear our basics about the algae and the bryophytes.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Algae, Bryophytes, Difference between the algae and the bryophytes, Unicellular organisms, Multicellular organisms, Sexual and Asexual reproduction
What is Algae?
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Algae are plant-like organisms, which are classified under the kingdom Protista.
- They are primitive organism that plays a very important role in our ecosystems.
- They act as a primary oxygen producer in fresh as well as marine water.
- You would have surely seen a pond covered with algae.
Algae
Occurrence of Algae
Algae are unicellular organisms, mostly found in freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats.
- Most of the algae are autotrophs as they contain photosynthetic pigments in their cells.
- According to the modes of nutrition they possess Alga can be classified into Mixotrophic alga and Heterotrophic alga.
- Mixotrophic alga uses both modes of nutrition i.e., heterotrophy as well as autotrophy.
- In the aquatic food chains, autotrophic algae serve as an important primary producer.
- It is evident from the fact that around 70% of the breathing oxygen is produced by the algae.
- In algae, all the cells are capable of growing and reproducing.
- The size of the algae may vary ranging from microalgae to macroalgae.
- An example of prokaryotic microalgae is Cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are also called blue-green alga.
- Seaweeds are an example of macroalga.
- Algae can undergo vegetative, asexual, and sexual modes of reproduction.
- Asexual reproduction generally occurs through motile spores.
- Sexual reproduction takes place in eukaryotic alga and occurs through the fusion of male and female gametes that leads to producing different individuals. Hence, eukaryotic algae are sexually dimorphic.
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What are Bryophytes?
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Bryophytes are the most primitive land plants. They come under the kingdom plantae and are non-vascular land plants.
- They do not produce seeds or flowers hence they can be referred to as non-seed-producing plants.
- They are spore-producing plants and the gametophytic stage is the dominant stage in the life cycle of bryophytes.
- They are mostly autotrophic in nature.
- Some of the bryophytes like liverworts do not contain chlorophyll and hence are dependent on the fungal partner for the food.
- They mostly grow in moist and shady places, producing phenolic compounds which deter herbivores.
- Other plants also benefit from the water collected by bryophytes.
Occurrence of Bryophytes
Bryophytes are macroscopic plants whose size generally varies from a millimeter tall to long strands of about one meter.
- Rhizoids are present in the bryophytes and they are generally root-like structures that allow the plants to anchor on the surface.
- It should be noted here that rhizoids are not water-absorbing units.
- In the plant body, water conduction generally occurs internally which is absorbed by the plant itself.
In Bryophytes, there are 3 modes of reproduction i.e., Vegetative, Asexual, and Sexual.
- Asexual reproduction occurs by fragmentation and small aggregations.
- The sperm are carried to the eggs through the water during the process of sexual reproduction.
- Fertilization of gametes in the bryophytes leads to the formation of gametophytes with the spore capsules called the sporophytes.
- The sporophytes produce spores, which are dispersed through the winds.
Difference Between Algae and Bryophytes
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Bryophytes are considered to have evolved from the algae as the alga are primitive. Both of the organisms bryophytes and algae have cell walls that are made up of cellulose. Let’s study the differentiation in the form of a comparison table.
| Basis | Algae | Bryophytes |
|---|---|---|
| Types | Algae are plant-like organisms, which have been placed under the kingdom Protista. | Bryophytes are a division of non-vascular land plants that have been placed under the kingdom Plantae. |
| Habitat | Found in aquatic habitat i.e. in freshwater as well as marine. | Found in a moist and shady place. |
| Role in the food chain | They act as a primary producer in the aquatic food chain. | They produce important buffer systems for the other plants to survive |
| Division of labor | The plant body of algae does not exhibit any division of labor. | The plant body of the bryophytes is internally divided into 2 zones i.e, the photosynthetic zone and the storage zone |
| Composition of cells | Cells can be unicellular, multicellular, filamentous, or thalloid. | These are always multicellular, thalloid, or leafy. |
| Presence of stomata | Pores or stomata are absent. | The gaseous exchange takes place with the help of stomata and the pores are therefore present. |
| Pollen grains production | Produces fewer pollen grains. | Produces a large number of pollen grains. |
| Sexual reproduction | Occurs as isogamous, anisogamous, and monogamous. | Sexual reproduction only through oogamous. |
| Embryo production | Formation of the embryo is absent. | The embryo is formed in the zygote. |
| The ability for reproduction and growth | Each cell of alga is capable of growth and reproduction. | Only apical cells are capable of growth and reproduction. |
| Sporophytes | The sporophyte is independent of the gametophyte. | Sporophytes is dependent on the gametophyte of bryophytes. |
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Things to Remember
- Algae are primitive organism that plays a very important role in our ecosystems.
- They act as a primary oxygen producer in fresh as well as marine water.
- Most of the algae are autotrophs as they contain photosynthetic pigments in their cells.
- According to the modes of nutrition they possess Alga can be classified into Mixotrophic alga and Heterotrophic alga.
- Bryophytes do not produce seeds or flowers hence they can be referred to as non-seed-producing plants.
- They are spore-producing plants and the gametophytic stage is the dominant stage in the life cycle of bryophytes.
- Bryophytes are macroscopic plants whose size generally varies from a millimeter tall to long strands of about one meter.
Sample Questions
Ques. Explain the classification of Algae. (3 Marks)
Ans. Morphologically there are 3 types of algae and these are Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Pheophyta.
- Chlorophyta is the most diverse group of algae. The pigment present in the Chlorophyta is beta carotene and xanthophylls. Hence the Chlorophyta is also called a green alga
- Rhodophyta is known as a red alga. They appear red because they contain a pigment called phycoerythrin.
- Pheophyta is called brown algae, containing pigments such as chlorophyll c and fucoxanthin. Laminaria is an example of brown algae.
Second Answer: Algae exists in a wide range of environments such as oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, and even brackish waters. Green is their most common color. There are also different colors of algae found in nature. For example, snow algae contain carotenoid pigments alongside chlorophyll, lending the surrounding snow a distinctive red hue.
Ques. Explain the classification of Bryophytes. (2 Marks)
Ans. The 3 main divisions of the Bryophytes are Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Bryophytes (mosses), and Anthocerotophyta(hornworts).
- Liverworts are flattened moss-like leafy plants. Marginal cilia are present in the liverworts.
- Mosses consist of one cell of thick and simple leaves which are attached to a stem.
- Hornworts consist of a hornlike, elongated sporophyte on the gametophyte.
Second Answer: Bryophytes are a diverse group of land plants, sometimes classified as their own taxonomic division. They contain three unique groups of non-vascular land plants (embryophytes): liverworts, hornworts, and mosses.
Ques. Mention any 2 differences between Bryophytes and Algae. (2 marks)
Ans. Bryophytes and algae share some similarities but they also differ in many aspects. Here are the 2 such differences:
- Cell Composition: The algae may be unicellular or multi-cellular organisms. Bryophytes on the other hand can only be found in the thalloid, filamentous, or leafy.
- Type: Algae is the type of organism, which are categorized under the kingdom Protista. Whereas, Bryophytes are classified as non-vascular land plants in the kingdom Plantae.
Second Answer: Differences between Bryophytes and Algae
| Algae | Bryophytes |
|---|---|
| They are mostly aquatic. | They are mostly terrestrial. |
| They can be both unicellular and multicellular organisms. | They are always multicellular. |
| Each cell of algae has one or only a few chloroplasts. | Number of chloroplasts in each cell is more than that of algae. |
| They do show the division of labor in the plant body | They show the division of labor in the plant body |
| Stomata and pores are not present. | Stomata and pores are present. |
Ques. How does reproduction take in the Bryophytes and the algae? (2 Marks)
Ans. Reproduction is a major part of every living organism as it allows organisms to give birth to their progeny. Algal cells have the capability of reproduction. But, in Bryophytes, only apical cells have the capacity to reproduce.
Sexual reproduction in the algae can occur through anisogamous, isogamous, or oogamous. While in bryophytes it occurs only through the oogamous.
Second Answer: Reproduction in bryophytes and algae
Algae: Algae reproduce in a variety of ways: sexually, asexually, or through a combination of both.
- Sexual reproduction: Involves the fusion of gametes i.e. egg and sperm to produce a zygote, which then grows into a new organism.
- Asexual reproduction: Occurs through various methods like fragmentation, mitosis (cell division), budding, or spore production.
Bryophytes: Bryophytes primarily reproduce sexually. They have separate male and female gametophytes (haploid stage) that produce sperm and eggs, respectively. Sperm require water to swim to the eggs for fertilization. This is why bryophytes typically exist in moist environments.
Ques. Discuss the habitat of algae and bryophytes. (2 Marks)
Ans. The habitat is the place where the organism lives. The algae are generally found in aquatic habitats like freshwater and marine water whereas the bryophytes are generally found in moist and shady places.
Second Answer: Habitat of Algae and Bryophytes
- Algae are primarily aquatic and found in both freshwater and saltwater environments such as oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and even moist soil or damp rocks.
- Bryophytes are primarily terrestrial but require moist environments. They can be found in areas with a good water supply, but not submerged in water. Such areas are forests (especially damp areas), shady rocks, bogs, marshes, and even on the roofs of buildings in humid areas.
Ques. How are algae different from traditional plants? (2 Marks)
Ans. In comparison to traditional plants, algae lack the familiar structures of roots, stems, and leaves. This absence of a vascular system, responsible for transporting water and minerals throughout the plant, necessitates a moist or watery environment for their survival.
Second Answer: Difference between Algae and Plants
| Algae | Plants |
|---|---|
| Algae do not have a true root and shoot system, however, they have rhizoids, hair-like structures that help them attach to surfaces. | Plants are well differentiated into a root and shoot system. |
| They can be both unicellular and multicellular. | All plants are multicellular. |
| They are found in aquatic environments. | They are mostly terrestrial but are also found in water. |
Ques. How are algae useful? (2 Marks)
Ans. Algae play an important role in our planet's ecosystem. These photosynthetic organisms are responsible for fixing around 50% of the world's carbon dioxide, converting it into organic matter and releasing oxygen into the environment. As primary producers, they form the base of many aquatic food webs, supporting numerous organisms.
Second Answer: Algae can be used in a variety of products, including jet fuel, vegan eggs, food coloring, and even running shoes. Furthermore, algae can be blended with gasoline to create biofuel, or converted into biodiesel and bio jet fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fuel sources.
Ques. Are algae toxic to humans? (1 Mark)
Ans. While most algae are harmless to humans, certain species can form algal blooms. These blooms can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
Second Answer: Algal toxins are poisonous substances released by some types of algae when they are present in large quantities, forming blooms. These blooms often occur when high nutrient levels and warm temperatures create favorable conditions for excessive algal growth. As the algae die and decompose, the toxins are released into the water.
Ques. Why are bryophytes called amphibians of plants? (1 Mark)
Ans. Bryophytes are known as "amphibians of the plant kingdom," because they are terrestrial plants, require water for sexual reproduction.
Second Answer: Amphibians are the organisms that can live on both land and in water. Bryophytes are called amphibians of the plant kingdom because these plants need both water and soil for their survival.
Ques. What is moss? (1 Mark)
Ans. Mosses are the flowerless and non-vascular small plants that come under the division Bryophyta.
Second Answer: Mosses are small, flowerless, and non-vascular plants belonging to the taxonomic division Bryophyta sensu stricto. Mosses are easily recognized by their dense green clumps or mats, typically found in damp or shady locations.
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