Plants Similar to Amphibian Animals in Water Requirement for Fertilisation

Bryophyta and Pteridophyta are the two groups of plants that require water for fertilisation, similar to amphibian animals. Let's understand this in detail.

Bryophyta

Bryophytes are non-vascular plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They lack specialized tissues for conducting water and nutrients, and therefore, they rely on water for various functions, including fertilisation.

The male sex organ in bryophytes is called antheridium, which produces male gametes or sperm. The female sex organ is called archegonium, which produces female gametes or egg cells. During fertilisation, the male gametes require water to swim through to reach the female gametes. Once the sperm reaches the egg, they fuse to form a zygote, which develops into a sporophyte.

Pteridophyta

Pteridophytes are vascular plants that include ferns, clubmosses, and horsetails. They have specialized tissues for conducting water and nutrients, but still, they require water for fertilisation.

The male sex organ in pteridophytes is called antheridium, which produces male gametes or sperm. The female sex organ is called archegonium, which produces female gametes or egg cells. During fertilisation, the male gametes require water to swim through to reach the female gametes. Once the sperm reaches the egg, they fuse to form a zygote, which develops into a sporophyte.

Angiosperm

Angiosperms are flowering plants that have evolved a more efficient way of fertilisation. They have male and female sex organs in the form of stamens and pistils, respectively. The male sex organ produces pollen grains, which contain male gametes or sperm. The female sex organ contains the ovary, which produces female gametes or egg cells.

During fertilisation, the pollen grain lands on the stigma, which is part of the female sex organ. The pollen grain then germinates to form a pollen tube, which grows down to reach the ovary and deliver the sperm to the egg. Unlike bryophytes and pteridophytes, angiosperms do not require water for fertilisation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bryophytes and pteridophytes are similar to amphibian animals in their requirement of water for fertilisation. However, angiosperms have evolved a more efficient method of fertilisation and do not require water for the same.