Question

In bryophytes, which part of archegonium encloses egg?
A. Neck
B. Cover cell
C. Venter
D. Neck canal cell

Answer 1

Archegonium is a female sex organ in non flowering plant. It contains an egg or ovule. Bryophytes and gymnosperm have archegonia(plural form). Pteridophytes have also archegonium but are highly reduced.

Complete answer:
Bryophyte is a non-flowering plant so there is no flower to contain ovule but bryophyte have a flask-shaped haploid female organ called archegonium which encloses ovule. Archegonium is present in the gametophyte phase of bryophyte. The neck part of archegonium contains layers of cells called neck canal cells that close the neck and prevent the male gamete to reach the ovule and a swollen base called venter. Venter contains eggs that are fertilized by male gamete. The antheridia is a haploid male structure of the gametophyte phase of bryophyte that produces biflagellate male gametes. When archegonium matures the neck canal cell disappears now the male gamete enters the neck of archegonium and fuse with an ovule present at ventre.
So, the correct answer is option (C).

Additional information:
1. The neck canal cell is not present in the archegonium of gymnosperms.
2. The male gamete is called antherozoids.
3. After fusion of antherozoid and ovule and produce zygote. The zygote undergoes division and produces a multicellular body called a sporophyte.
4. Bryophytes lack true roots, stem, or leaves and have unicellular or multicellular rhizomes.
5. Bryophytes are divided into mosses and liverworts.
6. Mosses prevent soil erosion by forming dense mats on the soil.

Note: The biflagellate male gamete released in the water where they contact with archegonium. As medium water is required for the fertilization of gametes. Hence, bryophyte is known as an amphibian of the plant kingdom.