Question

In: Biology

Compare and contrast the appearance and function of the elaters in Marchantia and Equisetum.

Compare and contrast the appearance and function of the elaters in Marchantia and Equisetum.

Solutions

Expert Solution

In bryophytes and pteridophytes, elaters are elongated threadlike structures that assist in the dispersal of spores. In both cases, the elaters are hygroscopic, thus in the presence of high humidity they swell and as a result of the sporangia or the capsules burst open, releasing the spores. In the case of Equisetum sp. the elaters help in the movement of spores in the air.

However, the appearance or structure of the elaters in Marchantia sp. and Equisetum sp. varies.

In the case of Marchantia sp. the elaters are elongated, thread-like cells which have a spiral thickening.

But in horsetails i.e Equisetum, the elaters arise from the epispore also called as exosporium which is the outermost layer of the spore. The epispore is differentiated and forms four ribbon-like appendages. The tips of the appendages are spoonlike.


Related Solutions

What does independence mean in an auditing context? Compare and contrast in fact and in appearance,...
What does independence mean in an auditing context? Compare and contrast in fact and in appearance, and illustrate their differences.
compare and contrast a plant tissue to animal epithelial tissue. compare and contrast using structure, function...
compare and contrast a plant tissue to animal epithelial tissue. compare and contrast using structure, function and interactions/lack of interactions between cells. Also address how different organisms can build different tissue to address similar issues please
Compare and contrast the structure and function of compact bone and spongy bone
Compare and contrast the structure and function of compact bone and spongy bone
Compare and contrast the structure and function of the lac operon with the arabinose operon.
Compare and contrast the structure and function of the lac operon with the arabinose operon.
What is the function of the circulatory system? Compare and contrast the structure and functions of...
What is the function of the circulatory system? Compare and contrast the structure and functions of arteries, veins, and capillary beds. What is blood pressure and why must it be regulated by the heart and blood vessels? Lastly distinguish the difference between single and double circulation.
plant Physiology compare and contrast "gain of function" mutations versus " loss of function" for genes...
plant Physiology compare and contrast "gain of function" mutations versus " loss of function" for genes invilved in cell signal transcuction
Compare and contrast the structure and function of the digestive systems in bony fish, amphibians, and...
Compare and contrast the structure and function of the digestive systems in bony fish, amphibians, and mammals.
Compare and contrast the following macromolecules in terms of their structure, function, synthesis and significance to...
Compare and contrast the following macromolecules in terms of their structure, function, synthesis and significance to the cell: 1. proteins 2. carbohydrates 3. lipids 4. aromatic bases Which of the above could the cell survive longest without? Why?
Compare and contrast the 5 different types of leukocytes (both structure and function).
Compare and contrast the 5 different types of leukocytes (both structure and function).
compare and contrast spongy and compact bone. how does their structure correlate with their function.
compare and contrast spongy and compact bone. how does their structure correlate with their function.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT