In bryophytes, the gemmae help in which one of the following?

Solution & Explanation

Answer: (D) Asexual reproduction. Solution: In bryophytes (liverworts), gemmae are green, multicellular asexual buds borne in gemma cups on the thallus; they detach from the parent body and germinate to form new individuals — a mode of asexual (vegetative) reproduction. They are not involved in nutrient absorption or gaseous exchange, and they are distinct from the sexual cycle that uses antheridia and archegonia. NCERT Reference: Class XI Biology, Plant Kingdom, p.29, lines 41-45 — "Gemmae are green, multicellular, asexual buds, which develop in small receptacles called gemma cups located on the thalli. The gemmae become detached from the parent body and germinate to form new individuals."