Comparison of Bryophytes And Algae

Difference Between Bryophytes And Algae

Algae and bryophytes are cryptograms having undifferentiated thallus and prefer to live in aquatic habitats. At the same time, they are highly different from each other and come under different divisions of classification as well. Here are the major differences between bryophytes and algae. 

BRYOPHYTES	ALGAE
1. Terrestrial plants that prefer moist and shady areas.	Always prefer aquatic habitats.
2. Multicellular plant bodies with multiple layers of parenchymatous cells.	Both unicellular and multicellular organisms exist.
3. Cells and tissues exhibit division of labor.	Tissues are not organized.
4. Only the apical cells can multiply.	Every cell of the plant body can divide and multiply.
5. Possess complex plant body exhibiting dichotomous branching.	Plant bodies can be filamentous, branched, and unbranched.
6. Cells have one, two, or multiple chloroplasts and may form ill-developed chromatophores.	Always have multiple chloroplasts and plastids.
7. Rhizoids are the absorptive organs and are always present.	No rhizoids formed or when developed are simple.
8. Stomata and air pores are present to facilitate gaseous exchange in water.	No stomata or air pores present.
9. Sexual reproduction is only oogamus type.	Sexual reproduciton may be anisogamois, isogamous or oogamous.
10. Sex organs are multicellular and possess a sterile protective jacket.	Sex organs are not mostly unicellular and sometimes multicellular, without any sterile jacket.
11. The female sex organ is multicellular and is called archegonium.	Female sex organ in unicellular oogonium.
12. The zygote is retained by the archegonium and is developed into an embryo immediately.	The zygote is detached as soon as it is formed and undergoes a resting period.
13. The gametophyte retains the embryo.	No embryo is formed.
14. Exhibits heteromorphic alternation of generations.	Exhibits homologous alternation of generation.
15. Gametophyte generation is the dominant one.	Sporophyte is dominant.
16. Sporophyte are completely dependent on gametophytes.	Sporophytes are independent of gametophytes.
17. Sporophyte gets differentiated into a foot, seta, and capsule.	No differentiation of sporophyte occurs.
18. No microspores are produced.	Microspores are usually produced.

Similarities between bryophytes and algae

Even though bryophytes and algae exhibit such distinct differences, they have several remarkable similarities as well. 

• Both bryophytes and algae show very little anatomical and morphological differentiation.
• They both have chloroplasts in their cells and are autotrophic in nature.
• They have chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotene, and lutein present in their cells.
• The lack of vascular bundles is common in both.
• The reserve food is starch.
• There are no distinct root formations.
• Male gametes are mobile due to the presence of cilia or flagella.
• Both require the presence of water for their reproduction.
• Protonema in bryophytes are similar to filaments of algae.
• Both algae and bryophytes are easily adaptable to the changing environmental conditions.
• The gametophytic generation is the dominant and prevailing generation in their life cycles.

These similarities show that bryophytes evolved from algae with some specific characteristics.

References

• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-algae-and-bryophytes
• Abraham P C. Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms & Paleobotany. 2000. St. Mary’s Books & Publ.
• https://www.careerpower.in/school/biology/algae-and-bryophytes

Additional Reading

• General Characteristics of Bryophytes
• Classification of Bryophytes