CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING THINGS
KINGDOM FUNGI
Is the kingdom which consists of non-photosynthetic organisms that obtain nutrients through the absorption of organic compounds from their surroundings.
The Organisms that belong to kingdom fungi are known as fungi
The study of fungi is called mycology
Example of organisms that belong to kingdom fungi
- Mushrooms.
- Moulds
- Toadstool
- Yeast
- Rhizopus
- Bracket fungi
- Puffballs
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS (FEATURES) OF THE KINGDOM FUNGI
1. Members of Kingdom Fungi have the following general characteristics:
2. They are eukaryotic organisms with true nucleus which is enclosed in a nuclear membrane.
3. They store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen.
4. They feed saprophytically but some of them are parasitic e.g. Candida albicans
5. Their bodies are made up of a mycelium consisting of a network of fine, tube-like filaments called hyphae (except yeasts)
6. They are either unicellular such as yeast or multicellular such as moulds and mushroom.
7. Some fungi form symbiotic associations with other species as mycorrhiza and lichen.
8. They reproduce both sexually by using spores and asexually by budding.
9. They are found in various places such as air, water, soil, food, and in the body of animals and plants.
10. They produce a chemical substance called pheromone that facilitates sexual reproduction.
11. They exhibit alteration generation (gametophyte and saprophyte generation). Gametophyte is dominant over sporophyte
Mycelium: is a collection of hyphae
- Purpose of hyphae and mycelium is to digest and absorb nutrients by secreting enzymes outside of the cells.
Distinctive characteristics (Features) of Kingdom Fungi
Yeasts, Bread moulds, Mucor, mushrooms and all Fungi) are placed in Kingdom Fungi because they have the following unique characteristics (features):
1. They have cell walls made up of chitin. Chitin is a substance containing protein and complex sugars.
2. Their bodies are made up of a mycelium except yeasts
3. They feed saprophytically but some of them are parasitic e.g. Candida albicans
4. They secrete digestive enzymes outside their bodies into their food.
PHYLA OF THE KINGDOM FUNGI
Members of Kingdom fungi are classified into three main phyla, based on the structures they use to produce sexual spores, namely
| Phylum | Examples of Common member (s) |
| (i) Ascomycota | Yeast |
| (ii) Zygomycota | Bread mould (Rhizopus) and Mucor |
| (iii)Basidiomycota | Mushroom |
1. PHYLUM ASCOMYCOTA
This phylum consists of unicellular (single celled) organisms such as yeasts
- Members of this phylum are commonly called ascomycetes or asci fungi. This is because their spores are enclosed in sac like structures known as asci (singular: ascus).
Other members of phylum Ascomycota includes:
- Cup fungi
- Powdery mildew
- Penicillium
- Ringworm fungi.
General characteristics of phylum Ascomycota (yeast)
Members of phylum Ascomycota have the following characteristics:
1. They reproduce sexually by ascospores and asexually by budding
2. Some are unicellular e.g. yeast while others are multicellular e.g. Penicillium
3. They have sac- like cells called asci for
ascospores production
5 They can ferment sugars to form alcohol e.g. Saccharomyces (yeasts)
6. They have hyphae with cross walls (septa)
7. They grow and feed on decaying materials.
Distinctive features (characteristics) used to place Yeast in the Phylum Ascomycota
Yeasts are placed in phylum Ascomycota because they have the following distinguishing features:
1. They reproduce asexually by budding
2. They are unicellular
3. They have hyphae with cross walls
4. They can ferment sugars to form alcohol
5. They attach to each other to form short chains
Economic importance of Yeast
i. Used in biological studies as specimens.
ii. Used in fermentation process.
iii. Used in bread making.
iv. Used as source of vitamin B
v. Yeasts cause spoilage of foods. E.g. tomatoes
Advantages of yeasts in industries
i. Used in brewing industries to ferment sugars into alcohol such beers, wines
ii. Used in baking industries to manufacture breads.
iii. Used in vitamin B synthesis.
Mode of Nutrition and mode of reproduction and habitat of Yeast
| Organism | Mode of nutrition | Mode of reproduction | Habitat |
| Yeast | Saprophytic nutrition Reason: It feeds on dead and decaying organic matters. | Asexual reproduction through budding | Found on the surface of sugary ripe fruits. |
Meaning of budding
Budding is a form of asexual reproduction whereby a new organism develops as an outgrowth of the parent.
Diagram of yeast cell
2. PHYLUM ZYGOMYCOTA
This phylum consists of multicellular organisms such as Mucor and Rhizopus.
- The members of this group are called zygomycetes. This is because they produce sexual spores called zygospores in the structures known as zygosporangia. Examples of zygomycetes (common members of phylum zygomycota)
- Bread mould or Rhizopus
- Mucor
General characteristics of Phylum Zygomycota
i. They are multicellular
ii. They have hyphae without cross walls
iii. They are saprophytic growing on decaying organic materials such as on bread, ripe fruits and vegetables.
iv. They reproduce sexually through zygospores or asexually through sporangiophore
v. They have rhizoids for anchorage
vi. They grow as a mass of white tiny threads on decaying bread, cassava, pawpaw and tomato
Distinctive features used to place bread mould or Mucor to Phylum Zygomycota
i. They reproduce sexually through zygospores or asexually through sporangiophore.
ii. They grow as a mass of white tiny threads and feed on decaying materials.
iii. They have hyphae without cross walls (septate).
iv. They are saprophytic, growing on decaying organic materials.
A WELL LABELLED DIAGRAM OF BREAD MOULD
Adaptations of Bread Mould to its mode of life
i. It has rhizoids for anchorage and nutrients absorption.
ii. It has sporangium to store spores.
iii. It produces light spores for easy dispersal by wind.
iv. It has spores which are used for asexual reproduction.
v. It has stolon for allowing it to spread rapidly on the substrate
vi. It has sporangiophore to hold the sporangium in position for easy dispersal.
Economic importance of Bread Mould
i. Used in biological studies as specimens.
ii. Used to increase soil fertility by decomposing dead organic matters.
iii. It causes spoilage of foods.
Mode of Nutrition, mode of reproduction and habitat of bread mould
| Organism | Mode of nutrition | Mode of reproduction | Habitat |
| Bread mould | Saprophytic nutrition | Both sexual and asexual reproduction. | Grows on dead ad decaying organic matters. E.g. bread, cassava, tomato. |
GUIDING QUESTIONS IN CLASSIFICATION
SPECIMENS
Bread mould……………………………………………………..A
Yeast……………………………………………………………..B
1. You have been provided with specimen A
(i) Identify specimen A by its common name
(ii) Classify specimen A to the phylum level.
(iii) How does specimen A adapted to its mode of life?
(iv) Write three economic importance of specimen A
(v) Name the phylum to which the specimen A belongs. Give two reasons for your answers.
(vi) What are the observable features of specimen A? Give three
(vii)Suggest the possible habitats for specimen A
(viii) Identify the mode of reproduction of specimen A
(ix) What is the mode of nutrition of specimen A?
(x)Mention only two distinctive features of the kingdom to which specimen A belongs.
(xi) In what ways does the specimen A useful to farmers? Give two points
(xii) Draw a well labelled diagram of specimen A
2. You have been provided with specimen B
(a) (i) Identify specimen B by its common name
(ii) Classify specimen B to the phylum level.
(iii) How does specimen B adapted to its mode of life?
(iv) Write three economic importance of specimen B
(v) Name the phylum to which the specimen B belong. Give two reasons for your answers.
(vi) Mention two observable features of specimen B
(vii)Suggest the possible habitat for specimen B
(viii) Identify the mode of reproduction of specimen B
(ix) What is the mode of nutrition of specimen B?
(x)Mention only two distinctive features of the kingdom to which specimen B belongs.
(xi) In what ways does the specimen B useful in industries? Give two points
3. PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA
This phylum consists of multicellular organisms such as mushrooms.
The members of this group are called Basidiomycetes. This is because they produce sexual spores called basidiospores in the structures known as Basidia.
Basidiomycetes have club-shaped structures called Basidia. This is why they are also called club-fungi
Examples of Basidiomycetes
i. Mushrooms
ii. Puffballs
iii. Toadstools
iv. Bracket fungi
General characteristics of phylum Basidiomycota
The following are general characteristics of phylum Basidiomycota
They are multicellular organisms
They are saprophytic, growing on decaying organic matters
(iii)They reproduce both sexually and asexually (iv) They have hyphae with cross walls (septate) (v) They produces sexual spores called basidiospores.
(vi) They have club-shaped structures called Basidia
Distinctive Features of phylum Basidiomycota
The following are distinctive Features used to place mushrooms in phylum Basidiomycota
i. They have club-shaped structures called Basidia
ii. They have gills containing Basidia
iii. They produces sexual spores called basidiospores
iv. They have cap like structure called pileus
Adaptations of mushroom to its mode of life
i. It has stipe to ensure the pileus is well-positioned above the soil for the dispersal of spores.
ii. It produces enzymes which help them to break down complex food particles.
iii. It has pileus to protect gills from physical damage.
iv. It has hyphae for anchorage and absorption of nutrients from the soil.
Economic importance of mushroom
i. Used as source of food.
ii. Used in biological studies
iii. Used as decomposers hence increase soil fertility
iv. Used in genetic engineering and research
v. Some of them are poisonous when eaten cause death to human eg. Amanita species
STRUCTURE OF MUSHROOM
Mushroom is a multicellular organism made up of the following structures (parts):
i. It has stipe (a stem-like) to ensure the pileus is well-positioned above the soil for the dispersal of spores.
ii. It has pileus which is cap shaped to protect gills from physical damage.
iii. It has hyphae for anchorage and absorption of nutrients from the soil.
iv. It has gills which contain Basidia for basidiospores production.
A WELL LABELLED DIAGRAM OF MUSHROOM
NB: The part of mushroom that is above the soil is called the fruiting body.
Mode of Nutrition, mode of reproduction and habitat of Mushroom
| Organism | Mode of nutrition | Mode of reproduction | Habitat |
| Mushroom | Saprophytic nutrition | Both sexual and asexual reproduction. | Grows on dead ad decaying organic matters. |
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF KINGDOM FUNGI
This includes both advantages and disadvantages of fungi
Advantages of Fungi or kingdom Fungi
Most of fungi are beneficial to human beings such as:
1. They are used as source of food
Some types of fungi such as edible mushrooms are used as food and they have high contents of proteins and vitamins.
2. They are used in bread making
Some fungi such as yeasts are commonly used in bakery industries to make bread and cheese
3. They are used in fermentation process to produce alcohol
Some fungi such yeasts are used in brewing industries to ferment sugars to produce alcohol such as beer and wines.
4. They are used in the production of antibiotics
Some types of fungi are used in the production of antibiotics. For example Penicillium used to produce antibiotics called penicillin which used in treating bacterial infections including bronchitis and laryngitis.
5. They are used as decomposers hence increase soil fertility
Saprophytic fungi decompose dead organisms and waste materials to release important nutrients into the soil hence increases soil fertility.
6. They are used in genetic engineering and biological researches
Some fungi are widely used in studying genetics and research. For example neurospora are used in the study of genetics.
7. They are used in production of acids
Several species of fungi are used in making lactic acids, citric acids, cheese, and commercial enzymes.
8. They are used as a source of vitamin B and proteins
Some fungi such as yeast is known to be rich source of vitamin B and proteins, hence used as source of vitamin B and proteins.
9. Used in enzymes synthesis
Many enzymes such as amylase, invertase and protease are synthesized on a commercial scale from fungi.
DISADVANTAGES OF KINGDOM FUNGI
1. Some fungi are harmful to human beings and other organisms such as:
2. Some fungi cause food spoilage
Some fungi such as moulds and other parasitic fungi cause food spoilage such as rotting of meat, bread, cereals, fruits and vegetables. E.g. tomatoes are spoiled by yeast while onions are spoiled by Puccinia.
3. They cause diseases in plants and animals
In plants, parasitic fungi cause various fungal diseases such as
potato blight, wheat rust and maize rust while in animals they cause fungal diseases such as athlete's foot, ringworm, meningitis, candidiasis and skin infection in human beings.
4. They cause death to human being.
Some mushrooms are poisonous and cause death to human beings when eaten, also amonita species are responsible for many death caused by fungi poisoning. Other species are known to paralyses the central nervous system in human beings. (iv)
5.They produce poisonous substances called mycotoxins
Some fungi such as a certain types of ascomycetes produce poisonous substances called mycotoxins. The most common mycotoxin is known as aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen or cancer-causing agent. Aflatoxin is commonly found in harvested maize, groundnuts and peanuts that have been left in damp places.
6.They destroy timber, timber products and other materials.
Some fungi such as dry rot fungi attack and destroy the timber used in building houses and making furniture. This cause destruction of property.
REVISION QUESTIONS
1. Suppose you are in a class and your Biology subject teacher brings you an unknown specimen. Which characteristics will you look for to confirm that it belongs to the Kingdom Fungi? Give four points.
2. Name the phylum in which each of the following organisms belongs:
i. Bread mould
ii. Mushroom
iii. Yeast
3. Explain the disadvantages of fungi
4. Describe how yeast reproduce
5. Explain the importance of fungi
7. Give the common name of these fungi which grow on bread.
8. Outline three phyla of the Kingdom Fungi.
9. Outline five advantages of the Kingdom Fungi
10. A majority of people believe that all fungi are harmful organisms. As a biologist, explain four ways in which fungi are beneficial to human beings.
(a) Write the common name of the organism that grew on the bread surface.
(b) Name the kingdom in which the observed organism belongs.
(c) Name the phylum or division in which the observed organism belongs.
(d) Outline the advantages of the members of the kingdom you mentioned in b above.
12. The diagram below represents a certain organism.
(a) Name the organism.
(b) Giving two reasons, identify the kingdom and phylum or division to which the organism belongs.
(c) Name the structure labelled P.
(d) State the type of reproduction exhibited this organism
(e) Identify the habitat and the mode of nutrition of the above organism.
13. Use the organism shown in the figure below to answer the following questions:
(a) Identify the common name of the organism in the figure above.
(b) Identify the kingdom and phylum to which the organism belongs
(c) Name the part labelled A and B.
(d) State the type of reproduction shown on the diagram, giving reasons.
(e) State three economic importance of the above organism.
4. KINGDOM PLANTAE
Kingdom Plantae: this kingdom is composed of a wide variety of plants such as mosses, ferns, cone bearing plants and flowering plants.
The members of Kingdom Plantae vary greatly in size, forms, habitat, means of reproduction and morphology.
Plants are found in various habitats such as on land, in oceans, and in fresh water. Plants: are multi-cellular eukaryotic organisms with ability to manufacture their own food by using energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis.
Example of common representative members of Kingdom Plantae
i. Moss plants
ii. Fern plants
iii. Cone bearing plants such as pines
iv. Flowering plants such as maize, bean, and hibiscus plants
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS (FEATURES) OF KINGDOM PLANTAE
The members of Kingdom Plantae are characterized by the following general features:
1. They are multi-cellular and eukaryotic organisms.
2. They have cell organelles called chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll
3. They are autotrophs. This means they can make their own food using sunlight through photosynthesis process.
4. Some plants reproduce sexually through flowers or cones while others reproduce asexually by means of spores.
5. Their cells are organized into tissues, organs and organ systems.
6. They show limited movement, for example opening and closing of flower petals and growth movements towards stimuli like light and water.
Distinctive features of kingdom Plantae
The members of Kingdom plantae are distinguished from members of other Kingdoms by having the following unique features:
1. Their cell walls are made up of cellulose.
2. They store food (carbohydrates) in the form of starch.
3. Higher plants have vascular tissues for the conduction of water, mineral salts and manufactured food.
4. They have roots, stems and leaves
DIVISION OF KINGDOM PLANTAE
The Kingdom Plantae is divided into four main divisions. These are:-
| Division | Examples of Common member (s) |
| (i) Bryophyta | Moss plants (mosses) |
| (ii) Filicinophyta or Pteridophyta | Fern plants |
| (iii)Coniferophyta | Pines, cypress, Christmas tree |
| (iv) Angiospermophyta | Maize plants, hibiscus plants, bean plants, grasses, mango plants |
(i) DIVISION BRYOPHYTA
This division is composed of all bryophytes.
Bryophytes are the most primitive plants found in wet and shaded environment such as on floors, rock surfaces, bare soil, cracked of paved surfaces, bricks, on trunks and branches of trees.
The reproduction process in bryophytes depends on availability of water that is why their distribution is restricted to shady and moist places.
Examples of bryophytes (common members of division Bryophyta)
i. Mosses
ii. Liverworts
General features of the division Bryophyta
1. They live in moist, damps and shaded areas.
2. They do not produce flowers, fruits or seeds.
3. They have root-like structures called rhizoids
4. They lack vascular tissues (xylem and phloem)
5. They reproduce both sexually and asexually by spores.
6. They undergo alternation of generation with gametophytes and sporophytes generation.
Distinctive characteristics of the division Bryophyta
1. They a simple plants which lack true roots, stems or leaves.
2. They have thalloid plant body, which is leafy in nature
3. They have thallus (a leaf-like structure) and rhizoids (a root-like structure).
4. They lack vascular tissues. This means that they have no xylem and phloem
5. The dominant part of the plant body is gametophyte (the gamete producing plant body)
6. They depend on water for sexual reproduction because the male gametes can only reach the female gametes by swimming.
The general structure of mosses
Mosses are primitive plants believed to be among the first plants to develop the ability to live on land. An example of a moss plant is Funaria sp. Moss plants have the following structures (features):
1. They have no true roots instead they have root-like structures called rhizoids for water absorption and to hold moss plant to their growing surfaces.
2. They have no true leaves instead they have leaf-like structures called thallus for carrying out photosynthesis.
3. They have no true stems instead they have stem-like sto hold thallus in position.
4. They lack vascular tissues to transport water and nutrients from one part of the plant to another. This is the reason, why bryophytes do not grow tall but are short and spread out.
5. They grow on water collecting surfaces to allow direct water absorption through the body surface. The absorbed water move up by capillary action.
6. The gametophytes is the main moss structure which is a greenish stem-like and leaflike body.
7. The gametophyte have male and female reproductive structures and also carry out photosynthesis.
8. They have capsule to store spores
9. They have seta to hold capsule in position to facilitate spores dispersal
Reproductive structures (organs) of moss plant
Each Moss plant has three reproductive structures (organs), namely:
1. Archegonium – Egg producing organ in the gametophyte generation.
2. Antheridium – sperm producing organ in the gametophyte generation
3. Sporangium or Capsule – spores producing organ in the sporophyte generation
Mode of Nutrition, mode of reproduction and habitat of Moss plant
| Organism | Mode of nutrition | Mode of reproduction | Habitat |
| Moss plant | Autotrophic nutrition | Both sexual and asexual reproduction. | Grows in moist, damps and shaded areas. |
A well labelled diagram of moss plant
Adaptation of moss plant to its mode of life
1. It has rhizoids for water and nutrients absorption from the soil and for anchorage.
2. It has rigid capsule to store spores
3. It has seta to hold the capsule in position in order to facilitate spores dispersal
4. It has leaves-like structures for carrying out photosynthesis
5. It has chlorophyll to trap sunlight needed for photosynthesis.
6. Moss plants are small in size which enable them to germinate even in restricted place.
7. Moss plants produce mobile male gametes which can move toward the female gametes for fertilization purposes.
Question: Why the moss plants do not grow tall?
Answer: This is because:
i. They have no true roots, steams or leaves.
ii. They lack vascular tissues.
Advantages of Moss Plants
1. They provide shelter for insects and small animals. E.g. earthworms
2. They help to keep the soil moist. This is due to their ability to retain water.
3. They help to decompose dead logs and enhance nutrients circulation.
4. They help to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil particles together
5. They are primary producers in the environment. Therefore, they provide energy for heterotrophs such as insects, fungi and bacteria.
6. They produce oxygen to the atmosphere. Oxygen produced by mosses is used by animals and other organisms.
7. They serves as pioneer plants on bare ground. This helps to create a suitable environment for the growth and development of higher plants.
Disadvantages of Moss plants
1. They are weeds in gardens and other places.
2. They are difficult to remove when invade an area.
3. They cause buildings to look old and unattractive. This is when they grow on the surfaces and walls of buildings.
4. They cause the area to become marshy. Since, they cover ponds and some other small water bodies completely.
REVISION QUESTIONS
1. Briefly explain why moss plants do not grow tall as higher plants? Give two reasons
(a) List four general characteristics of division in which a moss plant belongs.
(b) Outline three distinctive characteristics of division in which a moss plant belongs.
(c) Briefly explain how moss plant is adapted to its habitat?
(d) Draw well labelled diagram of moss plant.
(e) What are the two generations that occur in bryophytes? Which generation is said to be dominant?
(f) List three reproductive structures (organs) found in moss plant
(g) Identify the habitat, mode of feeding and mode of reproduction of moss plant
2. Explain the general and distinctive characteristics of members of the Kingdom Plantae.
3. Explain four advantages and three disadvantages of mosses
4. In an ecological survey of an old building, pupil s collected the plant shown below:
(i) Identify the common name of the plant collected by pupils.
(ii) State the division where this plant belongs and give reasons for your answer
(iii)Identify the habitat and mode of reproduction of the above plant
(iv) Name the structures marked S and T
(v) State the function of the structures marked S and T.
(vi) State the type of nutrition exhibited by the above specimen.
DIVISION FILICINOPHYTA (PTERIDOPHYTA)
This division is made up of plants known as filicinophytes or pteridophytes such as ferns.
- Filicinophytes are much more advanced than bryophytes because they have true roots, stems and leaves
Examples of filicinophytes or pteridophytes
i. Ferns
ii. Horsetails
iii. Club mosses
A young fern is called a fiddlehead.
General characteristics (features) of division Filicinophyta (pteridophyta)
1. They live in moist, damp and shady areas.
2. They have vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).
3. They have true root, stems and leaves
4. They do not produce flowers and seeds.
5. They reproduce by means of spores
6. They show alternation of generations. The sporophytes generation is dominant
Distinctive characteristics of division Filicinophyta
Members of division Filicinophyta differ from the members of other divisions by having the following unique features:
1. They have simple vascular tissues
2. Their mature leaves bear spore-producing structures called sori on the lower side.
3. Their leaves are arranged in a clump and are called fronds.
THE STRUCTURE OF FERN PLANT
A fern plant is made up of the following parts:
The structure of fern fronds ranges from simple (undivided blade) to compound (blade is divided into leaflets known as pinnae)
The fronds have spore producing capsule on the underside called sori
Sori – are groups of sporangia in a fern plant. They are reproductive structures of fern plant.
Pinnae –are small leaflets of a fern plant connected to rachis.
Rachis – is the stalk of the frond connected to the rhizome
Rhizome – is a very short vertical stem at or near the soil surface.
Adventitious roots attached to the rhizome for anchorage and absorption of water and nutrients from the soil
It has vascular system for transportation of water and nutrients.
Reproductive structures (organs) of fern plant
Fern plant has the following reproductive structures (organs):
(i) Sori (singular: sorus) –clusters of spore- producing structures called sporangia.
A diagram of lower side of a fern leaf (frond) showing sori
(ii) Archegonia (eggs producing organs) and antheridia (sperms producing organs) which found on the Prothallus (a flattened leaf like structure germinated from mature spore)
A diagram of Prothallus
Mode of Nutrition, mode of reproduction and habitat of Fern plant
| Organism | Mode of nutrition | Mode of reproduction | Habitat |
| Fern plant | Autotrophic nutrition | Both sexual and asexual reproduction. | Grows in moist, damps and shaded areas. |
A well labelled diagram of fern plant
Advantages of ferns
1. They are used for decoration in homes and offices.
Some types of ferns are grown as ornaments in home and offices, thus, beautify the environment and make it more attractive.
2. They are used as food for animals.
Ferns are primary producers in the ecosystem, thus produce food for themselves and for animals such as herbivores in the ecosystem.
3. They are used as a biological fertilizer.
Ferns such as Azolla sp. are used as biological organic fertilizer as they are able to fix nitrogen from the air into compounds that can be absorbed by plants.
4. They are source of oxygen to the atmosphere.
Ferns produce oxygen gases during photosynthesis and release them into the atmosphere.
Oxygen given out by ferns is used by other living organisms in respiration process.
5. They are used in biological studies and research.
Ferns are used by biologists in biological studies and research as specimen.
6. They are the major components of coal.
The remains of primitive plants such as ferns that died a long time ago in muddy swamps decay anaerobically to form a fossil fuel called Coal.
Disadvantages of ferns
1. Ferns are regarded as weeds in many places.
Some species of fern plants are common weeds in water and terrestrial habitats, for example the giant water fern is one of the world's worst aquatic weeds that threaten the life of other aquatic organisms while Pteridium sp. are common weeds in terrestrial environment.
2. They provide habitat to dangerous animals such as snakes.
3. Fern plants act as home for dangerous small animals such snakes
Similarities between moss plant and fern plant
1. They have chlorophyll
2. They reproduce asexually and sexually
3. Their cell walls are made up of cellulose
4. They show alternation of generation
5. They are autotrophs
Differences between moss plant and fern plant
| Moss plant (bryophyte) | Fern plant (Filicinophyte) |
| (i) Lacks vascular tissues | Has vascular tissues |
| (ii) It lacks true roots, stems and leaves | It has true roots, stem and leaves |
| (iii) It has rhizoids | It has roots |
| (iv) It has capsule | It has sori |
| (v) Gametophyte is dominant over sporophyte | Sporophyte is dominant over gametophytes |
| (vi) It has no fiddlehead | It has fiddlehead |
REVISION QUESTIONS
1. (a) Name the division of the Kingdom Plantae in which the sporophyte is a dominant plant body?
(b) What is a meant by the term sporophyte?
2. Study the figure below:
(a) Identify the common name of the above organism.
(b) Giving reasons, state the kingdom and division to which the organism belongs.
(c) Name the structures labelled Q, R, S and T and state their functions.
3. Mention three examples of the members of the division Filicinophyta.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the members of the division Filicinophyta?
5. Draw and label a diagram of one of the members of the division Filicinophyta.
6. Name the importance of a fern to human or living organisms
7. Name the habitat and mode of reproduction for a fern plant.
8. Sate two similarities and two differences between moss plant and fern plant.
