NDA (I) 2022 General Ability Test · Question 76 of 150

Correct — A, Bryophytes. Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) are called the 'amphibians of the plant kingdom' because, although they live on land, they still need external water for reproduction — their male gametes (sperm) must swim through a film of water to reach the egg.

• (b)Thallophytes — Thallophytes (algae and fungi) have a simple, undifferentiated thallus body and mostly live in water; they are not the group termed amphibians of the plant kingdom.
• (c)Pteridophytes — Pteridophytes (ferns) are the first true vascular plants, with proper roots, stems and leaves; though they too need water for fertilisation, they are not given this label.
• (d)Gymnosperms — Gymnosperms are seed-bearing vascular plants with naked seeds and pollen-based fertilisation that needs no water, so they are far from the 'amphibian' description.

Bryophytes are simple, non-vascular land plants that lack true roots, stems and leaves. They are termed 'amphibians of the plant kingdom' because they inhabit land but depend on water for sexual reproduction — their flagellated sperm must swim to the egg — a life caught between land and water, much like amphibians.

The phrase links a land habitat with water-dependent reproduction. That combination fits bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). Ferns also need water for fertilisation but are vascular and are not given this label.

• Bryophytes include mosses, liverworts and hornworts.
• They are non-vascular and lack true roots, stems and leaves, having rhizoids instead.
• They are called 'amphibians of the plant kingdom' because reproduction needs water for the sperm to reach the egg.
• Pteridophytes are the first vascular plants; gymnosperms bear naked seeds.

• Confusing bryophytes with pteridophytes (ferns), which are vascular.
• Assuming 'amphibian' refers to habitat only, not to water-dependent reproduction.

A direct recall of the plant group nicknamed 'amphibians of the plant kingdom'.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Which group of plants is non-vascular and lacks true roots, stems and leaves?

  • (a)bryophytes
  • (b)pteridophytes
  • (c)gymnosperms
  • (d)angiosperms

  Answer(a) bryophytes — simple non-vascular land plants.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The first true vascular plants, with xylem and phloem, are the

  • (a)thallophytes
  • (b)bryophytes
  • (c)pteridophytes
  • (d)gymnosperms

  Answer(c) pteridophytes — ferns and their allies, the earliest vascular plants.