Question

What is the main difference between mosses and liverworts?

(a) Moses contain vascular tissue which are absent in liverworts

(b) Mosses contain an intermediary stage called protonema which is absent in liverworts

(c) Mosses grow taller which is not the case with liverworts

(d) Mosses contain special bodies called sporophytes that are absent in liverworts

This question was addressed to me in an international level competition.

This is a very interesting question from Plant Kingdom in portion Plant Kingdom of Biology – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) Mosses contain an intermediary stage called protonema which is absent in liverworts

Explanation: Mosses grow into an intermediary stage from spores called protonema after which they grow into leafy like thallus. Whereas, in liverworts this intermediary stage is absent i.e. the spores develop into thallus without protonema.