Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants
Freeman - Biological Science 7th Edition
Freeman7th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9783584863285Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksFreeman 7th EditionCh. 28 - Green Algae and Land PlantsProblem 14
Chapter 28, Problem 14

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more.A friend in your biology study group claims that eggs in mosses are fertilized by spores. What is wrong with that statement?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the reproductive structures: Understand that in mosses, the male reproductive structures produce sperm, and the female reproductive structures produce eggs.
Clarify the role of spores: Recognize that spores in mosses are involved in asexual reproduction and are not directly involved in the fertilization process of eggs.
Explain sperm motility: Explain that moss sperm are motile, meaning they can move and are specifically designed to swim to the egg for fertilization.
Discuss the fertilization process: Describe how moss sperm must travel from the male gametophyte to the female gametophyte to fertilize the egg, often aided by water.
Correct the misconception: Correct your friend's statement by explaining that it is the sperm, not spores, that are responsible for fertilizing eggs in mosses.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
27s
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Moss Reproductive Structures

Mosses reproduce through a life cycle that includes distinct male and female gametophytes. The male gametophyte produces sperm, while the female gametophyte produces eggs. Understanding these structures is crucial because it clarifies that fertilization occurs between sperm and eggs, not spores.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:12
Fungi Reproduction - 3

Fertilization Process in Mosses

In mosses, fertilization occurs when motile sperm swim through water to reach and fertilize the egg located in the female gametophyte. This process is essential for the formation of a zygote, which will develop into a sporophyte, highlighting the importance of sperm in reproduction rather than spores.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:19
1) RNA Processing

Spores vs. Gametes

Spores are asexual reproductive units that can develop into new organisms without fertilization, while gametes (sperm and eggs) are involved in sexual reproduction. The confusion arises from the terminology, but it is critical to distinguish that moss fertilization specifically involves the fusion of gametes, not spores.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:39
Dominant vs. Recessive Alleles
Related Practice
Textbook Question

<Image>

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more.

Researchers hypothesized that small animals called springtails (a type of arthropod) facilitate sperm transfer in mosses. To test this hypothesis, the researchers grew patches of male and female mosses at varying distances from each other and in the presence or absence of springtails. They later checked to see how many sporophytes were found in each female patch (as an indicator that fertilization had occurred). Their results are shown in the graph here (** means P<0.01, * means P>0.05. What conclusions can be drawn about the role of the springtails during the reproductive cycle of the mosses?

525
views
Textbook Question

<Image>

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more.

What structure do moss sperm use for motility, and how does that reflect the evolution of land plants from green algae?

617
views
Textbook Question

<Image>

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more.

Beyond the results presented here, what other evidence would be useful when drawing conclusions about the role of springtails in moss reproduction?

534
views
Textbook Question

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more. A friend in your biology study group claims that eggs in mosses are fertilized by spores. What is wrong with that statement?

1015
views
Textbook Question

<Image>

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more.

Besides springtails, are there other ways moss sperm may be transferred from male to female gametophytes?

691
views
Textbook Question

<Image>

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more.

Animals are responsible for pollinating many flowering plants. Did animal-mediated fertilization originate with flowering plants, or was this mode of sperm dispersal likely in place before the origin of flowering plants? Explain.

533
views