What is the function of a rhizoid? Describe asexual and sexual reproduction in Marchantia. Compare and contrast thallus and leafy liverworts. Solution 1.1 Rhizoid are hair like structures that serve the function of roots by anchoring the plants to substratum and absorption of water. These are present on the lower side of thallus like body of marchantia. 1.2 Asexual Reproduction: In Marchantia , asexual reproduction occurs through fragmentation of thallus or through gemma cups (present on dorsal side of thallus) which detach and grow as thallus when fall on substratum(Soil). Sexual Reproduction In Marchantia: Marchantia is dioceious i.e unisexual. Male and female thallus are seperate. Thallus represents gametophyte that produces gametes. 1. The dorsal side of Marchantia thallus has special reproductive structures called antheridia(male) and archegonia (Female). 2. In antheridia , biflagellated cells called antherozooids are produced from androcyte mother cells. 3. In archegonia (flask like structure), egg is present . 4. Water is required for fertlization. The cells in flask of archegonia disintegrate and release chemicals to attract antherozooids. 5. Antherozooids get splashed with water and fall on archegonium an travel through its neck to the egg to fertilize it. 6. fertilisation produces zygote. 7. Zygote develops in a sporophytic structure having foot, seta and capsule.Sporophyte remains attached to gametophyte. 8. Capsule produces spores, that are released to germinate into new thallus gametophyte. 1.3 Leafy and Thallus Liver worts DIFFERENCES Thallus Liverwort: 1. Ribbon like body 2. Non vasularised. 3. Do not have similarity of structure with mosses. Leafy Liverwort 1. Have thick Axis 2. Vascularised center with flat leafs aranges in rows of three or four. 3. resemble mosses to some extent. Similarities : Both thallose and leafy liverworts: 1. Need water for fertilisation. 2. Do not have well differentiated body. 3. have rhizoids for attachemnet with substratum..

1. What is the function of a rhizoid? Describe asexual and sexual reproduction in Marchantia.
Compare and contrast thallus and leafy liverworts.
Solution
1.1 Rhizoid are hair like structures that serve the function of roots by anchoring the plants to
substratum and absorption of water. These are present on the lower side of thallus like body of
marchantia.
1.2
Asexual Reproduction: In Marchantia , asexual reproduction occurs through fragmentation of
thallus or through gemma cups (present on dorsal side of thallus) which detach and grow as
thallus when fall on substratum(Soil).
Sexual Reproduction In Marchantia:
Marchantia is dioceious i.e unisexual. Male and female thallus are seperate. Thallus represents
gametophyte that produces gametes.
1. The dorsal side of Marchantia thallus has special reproductive structures called
antheridia(male) and archegonia (Female).
2. In antheridia , biflagellated cells called antherozooids are produced from androcyte mother
cells.
3. In archegonia (flask like structure), egg is present .
4. Water is required for fertlization. The cells in flask of archegonia disintegrate and release
chemicals to attract antherozooids.
5. Antherozooids get splashed with water and fall on archegonium an travel through its neck to
the egg to fertilize it.
6. fertilisation produces zygote.
7. Zygote develops in a sporophytic structure having foot, seta and capsule.Sporophyte remains
attached to gametophyte.
8. Capsule produces spores, that are released to germinate into new thallus gametophyte.
1.3
Leafy and Thallus Liver worts
DIFFERENCES
Thallus Liverwort:
1. Ribbon like body
2. Non vasularised.
3. Do not have similarity of structure with mosses.
Leafy Liverwort

2. 1. Have thick Axis
2. Vascularised center with flat leafs aranges in rows of three or four.
3. resemble mosses to some extent.
Similarities :
Both thallose and leafy liverworts:
1. Need water for fertilisation.
2. Do not have well differentiated body.
3. have rhizoids for attachemnet with substratum.