How do the sperm cells get from the Antheridial splash Cup to Archegonial heads?
Mnium antherids near-median l.s. Antheridia are at the top of broad, flat tips of the male moss stem. The tip is surrounded by leaf-like scales to form a cup. When it rains, the sperm empty into the cup and raindrops splash them out. Archegonia on female moss point up to receive the sperm-laden droplets.
What is the purpose of a splash Cup in the non vascular plants?
Asexual reproduction Additionally, many bryophytes gametophytes produce structures known as gemmae, which are small balls of cells contained in cuplike structures known as splash cups. Falling water can splash gemmae out of the cups and when they reach soil they will divide to form a new gametophytes.
When rain splashes the gemmae out of the cup what do they grow into?
Each gemma is capable of growing into a new thallus if the conditions are correct. Rain drops, insects, and small mammals all can spread the gemmae in the environment. Occasionally, one can find parasol-like structures that stand upwards of 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) above the thallus.
How does wind dispersal work?
Dispersal of Seeds by Wind. Some tall trees produce seeds with stiff wings covering the seed that enable them to fly long distances. The wings are twisted and balanced so that the seed spins around as it is carried along by the wind.
What is splash cup mechanism?
When water droplets fall into gemma cups, the gemmae deposited inside the cup are splashed out by a mechanism referred to as “splash-cup” (Brodie 1951) . In fact, when raindrops fall onto the antheridial disk, water droplets containing sperm cells can be splashed 30 cm away or farther.
What is the function of gemmae and why are they in cup-shaped vessels?
The main function of the Gemma cup is vegetative reproduction. The Gemma is a small cup-shaped cell found on the thalli of bryophytes such as mosses and liverworts. The Gemma cells separated from the parent and develop into a new individual.
What are gemmae cups and what is their function?
What organism produces gemmae cups?
Like mosses, many species of liverworts reproduce by making gemmae. Gemmae are small circular or spherical reproductive structures which are borne inside gemmae cups. The gemmae cups form on top of the thallus. Gemmae formation is an important form of asexual reproduction in many species of liverworts and mosses.
What is the function of gemma cups?
How does a splash cup plant disperse seeds?
The conical flowers of splash-cup plants Chrysosplenium and Mazus catch raindrops opportunistically, exploiting the subsequent splash to disperse their seeds. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we elucidate their mechanism for maximizing dispersal distance.
Which is the optimal cone angle for a splash cup plant?
According to our experiments, the optimal cone angle for the splash-cup is 40°, a value consistent with the average of five species of splash-cup plants. This optimal angle arises from the competing effects of velocity amplification and projectile launching angle. 1. Introduction
What are the purpose of splash cups in bryophytes?
Splash cups. Splash cups serve two roles in bryophytes: to disperse sperm or to disperse gemmae. Splash cups are found in only a relatively small number of bryophytes. In some cases the splash cups are very striking and the moss Polytrichum juniperinum is a good example of this.
How many species of splash cups are there?
This is a cosmopolitan genus, with four species in Australia. Within the cups are tiny, greenish disks called gemmae.