Thallophyta: Characteristics & Division

Thallophytes, also known as thallobionta or Thalophyta, are generally non–mobile organisms that are classified under the polyphyletic group. You might recognise them as “lower plants,” “relatively small plants,” or “thalloid plants.” 

• Thallophyte plants have a hidden system of reproduction, which is why they are included in cryptogamae. 
• However, unlike the cormophytes, this plant has undifferentiated bodies with stems and roots. 
• In the marine ecosystem, various kinds of or groups of thallophytes contribute in a large extent to its entire sphere and dynamism. 
• These plants belong to the kingdom Plantae and include species like lichens, algae, bacteria, and bryophytes.
• Here, we will learn more about thallophyta, its characteristics, division and some important examples.

Key Terms: Thallophyta, Kingdom Plantae, Reproduction, Bacteria, Algae, Characteristics of Thallophyta, Division of Thallophyta, Bryophytes, Lichens

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What is Thallophyta?

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Thallophytes are groups of plants or plantlike organisms (such as algae and fungi) that lack differentiated stems, leaves, and roots. The plant body possesses the absence of a vascular system, which means there is no availability of the conducting tissues.

• Thallophytes were formerly classified as a primary division (Thallophyta) of the plant kingdom.
• These plants doesn’t have vascular tissue and “true roots” which are needed in order to make connections for minerals and water. 
• Hence, you can only find these plants in wet and moist places.
• The name “Thallophyta” is derived from Greek word named “Thallos” meaning “undifferentiated” and “phyton” meaning “plant”. 
• We can easily understand their reproduction cycle as they rely on water bodies for fertilization.
• They appear to have undistinguished thallus, which are also known as algae.

Thallophyta

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Characteristics of Thallophyta

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Some of the important characteristics of thallophyta are given below:

• The sex organs found in thallophyta plants are single-celled.
• Once fertilization is done or over, there is the provision to form an embryo in these plants.
• The life cycle of thallophyta is classified into diplohaplontic, diplontic, or diploid.
• It is unlike other plants, meaning there is no presence of phloem or xylem.
• These plant cells don’t have a cellulose cell wall.
• One of the main characteristics of thallophyta is that they release glucose after photosynthesis and consume a part of it immediately. 
• The rest of the glucose is changed into starch, a kind of complex compound.
• Many members of the groups manufacture their own food. 
• Also, a few of them, such as fungi, are dependent on food from other sources.
• This is one of the most primitive forms of plants, and it is autotrophic in nature.
• Their sexual reproduction took place by the fusion of two gametes.

Thallophyta

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Division of Thallophyta

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The plant class Thallophyta is sub-divided into two subdivisions: Algae and Fungi.

Algae

Algae are basically thalloids bearing chlorophyll. They are autotrophic plants and rare aquatic plants. In this plant, you can examine that green algae do a symbiotic relationship with fungi that are prominent in the lush tropical rainforests of South America and Central America. 

• Sloth fur is very fine and easily absorbs water. 
• Hence, sloth fur builds a moist and damp environment for the algae to grow. 
• The algae, in return, provide the sloth with more nutrition and camouflage from predators.

Characteristics of Algae

The basic characteristics of algae are provided here:

• Algae do not have any leaves, stems, or roots.
• To do photosynthesis, they have chlorophyll as well as other forms of pigments.
• We can easily consider algae in the group of multicellular and unicellular organisms.
• Many of the time, unicellular algae are found in the water, specifically in plankton.

Fungi

Fungi are achlorophyllous (i.e., they do not possess chlorophyll) heterotrophic thallophytes. To overcome this problem, fungi may often develop a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria. 

• The algae can release food as it has chlorophyll and the fungi in return give a safe environment that protects the algae from UV rays. 
• Lichen is a mode where two organisms together act as a single unit.

Characteristics of Fungi

Some of the characteristics of fungi are:

• Fungi are non – motile i,e they cannot move.
• They are known as the best recyclers in the plant kingdom.
• Unlike a plant, instead of cellulose, chitin is used to make up the cell walls.

Fungi

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Things to Remember

• Thallophytes form an abandoned division of kingdom Plantae that comprise lichens and algae and occasionally slime moulds.
• These types of plants share similar characteristics but do not have a common ancestor.
• Chlorophyceae, commonly called green algae because they contain pigments chlorophyll a and b, are found in freshwater.
• You can also use them in daily life to prepare ice cream, cream, jellies, cosmetics, and paints.
• Fungi act as a shield against algae by keeping them in a safe environment and protect from UV rays.

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