Question

Read the following statements about Funaria and select the options which are correct.
a) Gametophyte is the dominant plant body.
b) The sporophyte is differentiated into foot, seta and capsule.
c) The gemmae are asexual, green, multicellular buds found on the thallus.
d) The sporophyte has independent existence.

• A. a and b
• B. a and c
• C. b and c
• D. c and d

Hint:

Remember that in Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), the Gametophyte is the 'boss' (dominant, independent), while the Sporophyte is a parasite dependent on it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Problem:
{Funaria} is a common moss belonging to the division Bryophyta. Bryophytes have a unique life cycle with distinct morphological characteristics separating them from higher plants.
Step 2: Approach and Formula:
Evaluate each statement against the specific botanical life cycle features of mosses (like {Funaria}) vs. liverworts (like {Marchantia}).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement a: In all bryophytes, including {Funaria}, the main, dominant, photosynthetic, free-living plant body is the haploid gametophyte. (True).
- Statement b: Following fertilization, the diploid zygote develops into a sporophyte, which in mosses is well-differentiated into a foot, seta, and capsule. (True).
- Statement c: Gemmae are asexual reproductive buds. However, they are characteristic features of liverworts (like {Marchantia}), not mosses like {Funaria}. Mosses primarily reproduce asexually by fragmentation or budding in the secondary protonema. (False).
- Statement d: The sporophyte in bryophytes is not independent. It is physically attached to, and nutritionally dependent (partially or fully) on, the photosynthetic gametophyte. (False).
Therefore, only statements 'a' and 'b' are correct.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct option is (1).