Question

Mosses and ferns are found in moist and shady places because both
(a)Depend for their nutrition on microorganisms which can survive only at low temperature
(b)Do not need sunlight for photosynthesis
(c)Require the presence of water for fertilization
(d)Can not complete with sun-loving plants

Answer 1

Mosses are non-vascular, small flowerless plants composed of simple leaves with one cell thick and attached to a stem that is branched or unbranched and conducts water and nutrients. Ferns are a group of vascular plants that reproduce through sports and do not have seeds and flowers. They consist of special tissues that conduct water and nutrients and have lived in the sporophyte which is the dominant phase.

Complete answer:
Mosses and ferns are found in moist and shady places because both require the presence of water for fertilization. Mosses get to alternate between a haploid gametophyte and a diploid sporophyte stage where the gametophyte is dominant and is known as alternation of generation. Half of the chromosome number is present in the haploid gametophyte which produces gametes friend the gamete of fight stage remains dominant in the moss's life cycle. It consists of root-like rhizoids which are photosynthetic and the diploid sporophyte consists of a complete set of a chromosome that produces spores by meiosis. The sporophyte gets attached to the gametophyte and is smaller in size. It lacks chlorophyll and depends upon the gametophyte for food. Capsules are present in the sporophyte which is a long slender stalk topped and produces haploid spores.

Additional Information: Mosses produce two kinds of gametes that are surrounded by a bundle of sterile cells which prevents the cell from drying out. The female gametes are larger than the male gamete and consist of cytoplasm and are unable to move. The egg gets to the water droplets for fertilization through the flagellated sperm with a swim to the egg. Gametophyte consists of Archegonium and Antheridium which form separately reproductive structures. Archegonium forms the egg and antheridium form the sperm. When the gametophyte is covered with water fertilization takes place and the sperm swim to the egg when a chemical is released by the egg. The fertilized egg is formed which is known as a zygote and it undergoes mitosis to become a sporophyte. Capsule consists of cells that undergo meiosis and form haploid spores which germinate into Juvenile plants known as the Protonema which begins the gametophyte generation.
So, the correct answer is 'require the presence of water for fertilization'.

Note: Moss helps in the decomposition of dead logs and serves as Pioneer plants for rock or ground. They prevent soil erosion and provide shelter to small animals and insects. Sphagnum or peat moss helps in the formation of peat bogs which is burned as fuel in some regions.