Test: Cryptogams - Class 9 MCQ

These are the lowermost plants of the plant kingdom, without a well-differentiated body design. This means that the plant body is not differentiated as roots, stem, and leaves. They are commonly called algae, are permanently aquatic. Examples include Spirogyra, Chara, and Ulothrix.

Cryptogams are seedless plants. The reproductive organs of members of cryptogams are inconspicuous or hidden. They produce naked embryos after fertilization that are called spores. Cryptogams are further divided into thallophytes (undifferentiated body), Bryophyta (moss plant) and pteridophytes (vascular cryptogams), Plants which make seeds and have well-differentiated reproductive tissues are called phanerogams. In these plants seeds consists of embryo along with stored food, The stored food serves the purpose of initial growth of the embryo during germination. On the basis of presence or absence of naked seeds, these are divided into two groups (i) gymnosperms (naked seed) (ii) angiosperms (covered seed).

The chloroplasts of the algal cell have sub cellular microcompartments known as pyrenoids. These play an important role in carbon dioxide (CO₂) fixation. These are the centers which are involved in generating and maintaining a CO₂ rich environment around the photosynthetic enzymes.  While these are also found in Bryophytes such as hornworts, these are absent in the liverworts (Riccia and Marchantia)

Ferns:


Ferns are a type of plant that have been around for millions of years. They are unique in many ways and exhibit several distinct characteristics. Let's explore some key points about ferns:
1. Well-developed leaves, stem, and roots:
- Ferns have well-developed leaves, stems, and roots, which are essential for their growth and survival.
- The leaves of ferns are called fronds and are usually large and divided into smaller leaflets.
- The stem of ferns is usually underground, known as a rhizome, and it helps in the absorption of water and nutrients.
- The roots of ferns provide anchorage and also help in the absorption of water and minerals from the soil.
2. Absence of fruits:
- Unlike flowering plants, ferns do not produce fruits.
- Instead, ferns reproduce through spores. These spores are produced in structures called sporangia, which are usually found on the undersides of the fronds.
3. Non-flowering plants:
- Ferns are non-flowering plants, meaning they do not produce flowers.
- Instead of flowers, ferns reproduce through a process called alternation of generations, which involves both a sexual and asexual phase.
4. Absence of seeds:
- Ferns do not produce seeds. Instead, they reproduce through spores.
- Spores are single-celled structures that are released from the sporangia and can disperse through the air or water.
- When conditions are favorable, these spores can germinate and grow into new fern plants.
In conclusion, the true statement about ferns is that they show well-developed leaves, stems, and roots. They do not produce fruits, are non-flowering plants, and reproduce through spores rather than seeds.

Bryophytes belong to kingdom Plantae. They possess chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis. Hence they show autotrophic mode of nutrition.

Xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue in vascular plants, phloem being the other. The basic function of xylem is to transport water from roots to stems and leaves, but it also transports nutrients. 

Most algae are beautifully colored, and sometimes also iridescent. The pigments of the chromatophores intercept solar energy, which is used in the synthesis of organic compounds. The type of pigment or pigment combination occurring in the algae as color manifestations has led to the names commonly used for the classes:

1. Blue-green algae (Myxophyceae)

2. Green algae (Chlorophyceae)

3. Brown algae (Phaeophyceae)

4. Red algae (Rhodophyceae)

The plant body of bryophytes is more differentiated than that of algae. It is thallus-like and prostrate or erect, and attached to the substratum by unicellular or multicellular rhizoids. They lack true roots, stem or leaves. They may possess root-like, leaf-like or stem-like structures. The main plant body of the bryophyte is haploid. It produces gametes, hence is called a gametophyte.

Amphibians are those organisms which live on both land and in water. Bryophytes are called amphibians of the plant kingdom because these plants though live in soil but they need water for sexual reproduction. The sperm of bryophyte (antherozoids) are flagellate and need water to swim to the eggs. In other words, as these plants need water for reproduction unlike other plants, they are called as amphibians. 

Pteridophytes are the first true land plants: It is speculated that life began in the oceans, and through millions of years of evolution, life slowly adapted on to dry land. And among the first of the plants to truly live on land were the Pteridophytes.