Question

Which is not correct about Funaria?
A) Sporophyte is semi-parasitic on gametophyte
B) Spores are produced by outer endothelial cells
C) The spore germinates to produce primary protonema
D) There are two neck canal cells in archegonia

Answer 1

Hint:- Funaria comes under bryophytes; it is a type of moss. Conducting tissues, like xylem and phloem, that transport water and nutrients are absent in these plants (non-vascular plants). Therefore they grow in moist areas so that their cells are in direct contact with water. Their life cycle is characterized by a predominant gametophyte stage and a shorter sporophytic stage.

Complete answer:-
The stem-like structure of Funaria divides into two branches- one has all the male reproductive organs and the other has female reproductive organs. The sporophyte grows on the female head (gametophyte).
Assimilatory parenchymatous cells are present in the capsule of the sporophyte. These assimilatory parenchymatous cells perform their own photosynthesis. However, the gametophyte also fulfils some of the nutritional requirements of the sporophyte. Hence, the sporophyte is like a semi-parasite on the gametophyte.
In bryophytes the outer endothelial cells form the sporangium; it is the sporangium that produces the spores.
The haploid biflagellate sperm (gamete) from the male gametophyte fertilizes the haploid female gamete (egg) to form a zygote. This diploid zygote develops into a sporophyte on the female head. Inside the capsule of the sporophyte, the diploid spore mother cells undergo meiotic division to give haploid spores. These spores are dispersed from the capsule and they germinate to form primary protonema. The protonema has these lateral filaments and some that go underground (to form rhizoid). A bud grows on the protonema that gives rise to the stem-like and leaf-like structures above the ground and it grows into a gametophyte.
Archegonium is the female reproductive organ found in the female gametophyte. Archegonia consists of three main parts: the stalk, the venter, and the neck. The stalk is the base, the center is where the egg or female gamete is present and the neck is the long column. The neck consists of six or more canal cells that get dissolved to allow male gametes to enter the archegonium.

The correct option is (D), six or more cells are found in the neck region of the archegonium.

Note:- Funaria has root-like (rhizoid), stem-like (cauloid), and leaf-like structure (phylloid) present. To be called true root, stem, or leaf; conducting tissues should be present. Therefore these plants have leaf-like, stem-like and root-like structures.
Mosses in general retain a lot of moisture, they basically prevent soil erosion. Because of their absorbent nature, during World War One they were used to stop bleeding from wounds.