Question

Distinguish between bryophytes and pteridophytes.

Answer 1

Kingdom Plantae comprises eukaryotic organisms which has a definite cell wall. They are non-motile and are autotrophic in nature. Bryophytes and pteridophytes are the subclasses of Kingdom Plantae.

Complete Answer:
To solve this question we have to know about the basis of the classification of plant kingdom. Plant kingdom is classified into 5 subgroups on the basis of whether the plant body is differentiated or not, presence or absence of vascular tissues and fruits bearing seeds or seedless. The subgroups are as follows- Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, gymnosperms and Angiosperms.

Characteristics	Bryophytes	Pteridophytes
Appearance	Bryophytes are soft and leafy in appearance.	Pteridophytes are woody and have tree-like appearance.
Body Differentiation	The body is like a leafy thalloid body. It is not differentiated into roots, stem, and leaves. Rhizoid is present instead of true root.	The plant body is differentiated into roots, stem and leaves.
Vascular System	Vascular system is absent. Thus they are considered as primitive plants.	Pteridophytes have a definite vascular system i.e xylem and phloem is present for conducting water and minerals.
Ploidy in the main body	The main plant body is haploid.	The main plant body is diploid.
Sexual reproduction	The sexual reproduction is sporophytic which means the spore capsules are formed after fertilisation.	The sexual reproduction is gametophytic which means gametes are formed after fertilisation.
Habitat	They prefer to grow in a moist habitat.	They prefer to grow in moist and shady places.
Example	Mosses and liverworts.	Fern and horsetails.

Note: Bryophytes and pteridophytes do not bear flowers. The seeds are in the form of spores. Both bryophytes and pteridophytes prefer moist and terrestrial habitat.