Difference between Bryophytes and Pteridophytes

Plantae is a large kingdom with approximately 2 million distinct species. They’re all non-motile, eukaryotic, multicellular, and autotrophic creatures. Chlorophyll is found in their cells, which aids in photosynthesis. For photosynthesis, reproduction, and support, they have a variety of cell organelles.

Classification of Plant Kingdom

The million species that make up the Kingdom Plantae are divided into five subgroups based on characteristics such as the complexity of their plant bodies, the existence or absence of a vascular system, and how they carry seeds. Thallophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms, bryophytes, and pteridophytes are the five subgroups.

1. Thallophyta: They have a rudimentary body structure and are known as the thallus, which means their body structure is not highly differentiated. They are mostly aquatic (marine or freshwater) or inhabit damp environments. Green algae such as Volvox and Spirogyra, as well as brown algae such as Fucus, are examples of Thallophytes.

2. Bryophyta: They feature root-like, stem-like, and leaf-like characteristics, which makes them a little more complicated in terms of body structure than Thallophytes. They are also terrestrial plants that reproduce through the use of water. It explains why they are known as “plant-eating amphibians” and why they prefer wet, shaded environments. Marchantia, Funaria, and Sphagnum are examples of Bryophytes.

3. Pteridophyta: This subgroup of plants has different roots, stems, and leaf development. They are terrestrial and have a circulatory system within their bodies that aids in the transport of water and minerals to various bodily tissues. They do not form seeds and instead proliferate by releasing spores. Pteris and Selaginella are two frequent examples.

4. Gymnosperms: These are plants that have progressed to the point where they can produce naked seeds. They have separate body structures and are entirely terrestrial. They also have a well-developed circulatory system that allows water and minerals to be delivered to all of these bodily components. Gymnosperm plants include Pinus, Cycas, and Ephedra.

5. Angiosperms: They are the most sophisticated plants, with well-differentiated plant bodies, complex vascular systems, and fruits that contain seeds. The seed-bearing ability of bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms differs significantly. Plants such as eucalyptus, rose, mango and others fall under this category.

What are Bryophytes?

The word ‘bryophytes’ is used to describe plants that lack real vascular tissue. For plants or embryophytes, it is a traditional name. These plants are referred to as “non-vascular plants” since they lack xylem and phloem.

The formation or production of gametes occurs due to the existence of a dominant gametophyte. However, they are unable to produce blooms or seeds. The body of a bryophyte is made up of rhizoids that serve as anchors rather than actual roots, stems, and leaves. They reproduce via spores and carry unbranched sporophytes.

Mosses, liverworts, and hornworts are examples of bryophytes. They require a damp environment to grow in and are small, although they may also thrive in a dry environment. It is important because it provides water and nutrients to other plants in an environment that lives alongside bryophytes.

What are Pteridophytes?

Pteridophytes plants are also referred to as cryptograms since they do not produce blooms or seeds. These plants are classified as vascular plants because they have xylem and phloem tissues. Fronds are the leaves, true stems are the genuine stems, and roots are the roots. Pteridophytes include the biggest fern species, fronds, which may grow up to six metres in length. These plants are real ferns with a wide range of species. Instead of seeds, spores are used to disseminate and reproduce these plants. These plants like a wet, dark, shaded, chilly, and damp environment.

These plants are called gametophytes because they can produce gametes. Roots, stems, and leaves are used to describe the structure of a plant. Pteridophytes include club mosses, ferns, spikemosses, and quillworts, to name a few. Pteridophytes are seed plants that are closely related to angiosperms, conifers, and other seed plants.

Bryophytes and Pteridophytes: Difference

Conclusion

Bryophytes and pteridophytes are two types of plants that neither produce seeds nor flowers. Spores are used by both groups to replicate. In bryophytes, the haploid gametophyte is dominant. In pteridophytes, however, the diploid sporophyte is dominant. Pteridophytes are vascular plants, while bryophytes are non-vascular. As a result, bryophytes prefer wet, shaded environments, whereas pteridophytes prefer dry, open areas. Bryophytes’ plant bodies are not divided into base, stem, and leaves. Pteridophytes, on the other hand, have three distinct plant bodies: root, stem, and leaves. As a result, the primary distinction between bryophytes and pteridophytes is in the structure of their dominant plant body.