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B. Liverworts (Hepatophyta)

1. Observe the living green "leafy" gametophyte stage at Station A. These organisms have leaf-
like, stem-like, and root-like structures. Draw and label structures of the liverworts. Be sure
to include labels of the following items: gametophyte, n, sporophyte, 2n, rhizoides, leaf-like
structures, and thallus.
2. Use the dissecting scope and look at the sporophyte, gametophore, rhizoides, and thallus.
What do you notice? Write down some observations of each.
3. Compare the moss to the liverworts. How are they similar and how are they different?

1 Answer

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Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Title: Observation of Liverworts (Hepatophyta)

Objective: To observe the living green "leafy" gametophyte stage of liverworts and compare them with moss.

Hypothesis: Liverworts and moss may share some similarities in structure, but there may be significant differences between them.

Observations:

Liverworts Structures:

Gametophyte: The main plant body of the liverwort, which is haploid (n) and produces gametes.

Sporophyte: A structure that grows from the gametophyte and produces spores. It is diploid (2n).

Rhizoides: Root-like structures that anchor the gametophyte to the substrate and absorb water and nutrients.

Leaf-like structures: Flattened structures that resemble leaves but do not have true veins or stomata.

Thallus: The entire plant body of the gametophyte, which lacks true stems or roots.

Observations of different structures in liverworts:

Sporophyte: Small and inconspicuous, growing from the gametophyte.

Gametophore: The stem-like structure that supports the gametophyte and sporophyte.

Rhizoides: Thread-like structures that attach the gametophyte to the substrate and absorb water and nutrients.

Thallus: The plant body of the gametophyte that lacks true stems or roots.

Comparison between liverworts and moss:

Similarities:

Both are non-vascular plants.

Both have a haploid (n) gametophyte and a diploid (2n) sporophyte stage.

Both reproduce by spores and require water for fertilization.

Differences:

Liverworts have leaf-like structures and a thallus, while mosses have true leaves and stems.

Liverwort sporophytes are small and inconspicuous, while moss sporophytes are tall and conspicuous.

Liverworts have rhizoides, while mosses have true roots.

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