Question

Read the following statements about Funaria and select the options which are correct.
a) Gametophyte is the dominant plant body.
b) The sporophyte is differentiated into foot, seta and capsule.
c) The gemmae are asexual, green, multicellular buds found on the thallus.
d) The sporophyte has independent existence.

• A. a and b
• B. a and c
• C. b and c
• D. c and d

Hint:

Remember that in Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), the Gametophyte is the 'boss' (dominant, independent), while the Sporophyte is a parasite dependent on it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept: Funaria is a common moss, belonging to the division Bryophyta. Bryophytes have specific life cycle characteristics distinguishing them from higher plants.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach: Evaluate each morphological and life-cycle statement against the established biological facts for mosses.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Statement a: Correct. In all bryophytes, including Funaria, the main, dominant, free-living, and photosynthetic plant body is the haploid gametophyte.
Statement b: Correct. Following fertilization, the zygote develops into a multicellular sporophyte which is morphologically differentiated into three parts: a basal foot, a stalk-like seta, and a terminal capsule containing spores.
Statement c: Incorrect. Gemmae (asexual reproductive buds) are characteristic features of Liverworts (like Marchantia), not mosses like Funaria. Mosses reproduce vegetatively mainly by fragmentation and budding in the secondary protonema.
Statement d: Incorrect. The sporophyte in bryophytes is not free-living. It remains physically attached to and nutritionally dependent on the photosynthetic gametophyte for its entire existence.
Therefore, only statements 'a' and 'b' are correct.
Step 4: Final Answer: The correct option is (1).