I selected links that provide images of Bryophytes similar to those observed in laboratory. Review the links as you prepare for lab and as you study for your lab exam.

Reminder: Bring one sample of a Bryophyte that you collected to the Bryophyte lab ! Where to collect a Bryophyte?

In lab you are asked to focus on the following:

1. Sample the diversity of Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts and learn to recognize examples of each division.
2. Determine the Division to which the Bryophyte you collected belongs.
3. Examine the stages in the reproductive cycle of a thallose liverwort using Marchantia as an example.
4. Examine the stages in the reproductive cycle of a moss using living material of Polytrichum and slides of Mnium.
5. Learn the patterns of reproduction of Marchantia and a moss.

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Where to collect a Bryophyte

You probably will find it easiest to collect a specimen of moss as your example of a Bryophyte. Mosses can be located easily on campus and in many other locations. In fact you probably step on or over mosses daily as you walk about.

1. Look on the ground outside as you pass between Bruce Hall and the Science Building
2. Look in cracks of the cement fundation near the head house of the old Kean greenhouse
3. Look along moist areas on the banks of the campus stream

Prepare in advance by looking at the examples on the website, illustrations in your text, and illustrations in other reference books.

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Assignment

            Assignment for Laboratory Exercise 12 - Bryophytes
 

1.   Bring the Bryophyte that you collected to laboratory today
     and complete page 12-2.

2.  Examine the materials on display in the room. These will
     include living and preserved specimens representing
     diversity of Bryophytes; type specimens for the Mosses and
     Liverworts; living specimens and prepared slides
     illustrating reproductive patterns of a moss, Polytrichum
     (and Mnium) and a thallose liverwort, Marchantia; information
     from books and journals related to these and to the
     ecological role (pioneer plants) and the economic importance
     (peat) of Bryophytes.

3.   Learn the major characteristics of the Divisions Bryophyta,
      Hepatophyta and Anthocerotophyta. Use Polytrichum (and
      Mnium), Marchantia and Anthoceros to represent these divisions.

4.   Learn the structure of the gametophytes of Marchantia,
     Polytrichum and Sphagnum. Compare the rhizoids of Marchantia
     and Polytrichum. Make and examine a transverse section of
     the thallus of a living thallose liverwort. Examine gemmae
     cups and gemmae of Marchantia (living material if available).
     Examine moss protonema and the "leaves" of Sphagnum and
     Polytrichum.

5.   Examine antheridia and archegonia (gametangia) of Mnium
     (prepared slides) and Marchantia (prepared slides).

6.   Learn the structure of the sporophytes and sporangia of
     Polytrichum (fresh material and prepared slides) and Marchantia
     (preserved material and prepared slides).

7.   Color the diagrams of Moss (Figure 12.1) and Marchantia (Figure
     12.4) as directed.
 

Gametes     (egg, sperm)		Orange
Ventral canal cell		Pink
Archegonium     (neck and venter),  Calyptra, Antheridiumjacket		Red
Elaters		Brown
Meiospores		Blue
Gemmae cups		Dark Yellow
Sporophyte    (foot, seta, capsule, operculum)		Green
Gametophyte    (non-photosynthetic parts rhizoids, scales, lower thallus)		White
Gametophyte    (photosynthetic parts)		Yellow

8.  Diagram the patterns of reproduction of Mnium  and
     Marchantia (in the X format).

9.  Prepare for a quiz.