Sporophytes of Mosses and Ferns

[vertciel]

Hello everyone,

With regards to the question,

1. Are the sporophytes of the mosses and ferns capable of photosynthesis? Explain.

I am having trouble explaining. From research, I know that they can but I am not sure why.

Is it just because of the fact that although mosses and ferns are not true, vascular plants, they are still plants so they would need to photosynthesis in their sporophytic and gametophytic stages to survive?

Thank you.

[MrMistery]

not really. In mosses the sporophyte is a parasite on the gametophyte which is the actual plant you see. In true ferns(Polypodiatae) both the sporophyte and the gametophyte carry out photosynthesis. However, in other pteridophytes, like Lycopodium or Selaginella the gametophyte is no longer green...

[vertciel]

In mosses the sporophyte is a parasite on the gametophyte which is the actual plant you see.

I see, so that's why the moss sporophyte is brown?

Thank you for your reply!

[MrMistery]

it's brown because it has no chlorophyll. It can survive because it gets its food from the gametophyte.

[vertciel]

Thank you!