Question:

Gemmae are present in : 

Updated On: Nov 13, 2025
  • Some Liverworts

  • Mosses

  • Pteridophytes

  • Some Gymnosperms

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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To determine in which group gemmae are present, let's explore what gemmae are and their role in plant biology.

Explanation of Gemmae:

Gemmae are small reproductive structures in some non-vascular plants such as liverworts and mosses. These are a form of asexual reproduction, where they allow the plant to propagate without the need for seeds. Gemmae are usually found in little cup-like structures called gemma cups and are capable of developing into a new plant genetically identical to the parent plant.

Analysis of Options:

  1. Some Liverworts: This is the correct answer. Gemmae are commonly found in liverworts, which utilize these structures for asexual reproduction.
  2. Mosses: While mosses do have structures for asexual reproduction and sometimes have similar reproductive mechanisms, gemmae are specifically associated with liverworts.
  3. Pteridophytes: These are vascular plants that reproduce via spores rather than gemmae.
  4. Some Gymnosperms: These are mostly seed-producing plants that do not produce gemmae for reproduction. They reproduce through seeds rather than asexual means like Gemmae.

Conclusion:

Gemmae are prominent in some liverworts, which use them as a means of vegetative propagation. Therefore, the correct answer is Some Liverworts.

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Concepts Used:

Bryophytes

Bryophyta is a taxonomic division under Kingdom Plantae comprising of three non-vascular land plants namely:

  • Liverwarts
  • Hornwarts 
  • Mosses

Characteristics of Bryophytes:

  • Plants in this category do not have roots but have crude stems and leaves.
  • They have “rhizoids” instead of roots which helps the plant to anchor to surface.
  • These roots or rhizoids do not absorb nutrients like other usual plant roots.
  • Mosses release spores from their leaves which travels by water and make new mosses in new locations.
  • Water is very essential for mosses to grow and spread. They can entirely dry out and survive. When in contact with water, they again revive and continue growing.

Classification of Bryophytes:

According to the newest classification, Bryophyta is split into three classes:

Hepaticopsida (Liverworts): The classification of Bryophytes is incomplete without Hepaticopsida.

Anthocerotopsida (Hornworts): Containing more than 300 species, Anthocerotopsida exhibit the following salient features – 

  • Thallus shows no signs of scales.
  • The gametophytic body comprises of a thalloid, without any internal tissue differentiation.
  • Seta is meristematic.
  • Sporophyte is cylindrically shaped. It only partially depends on the gametophyte to derive its nutrition.

Bryopsida (Mosses): This class of Bryophytes contains nearly 1500 species, making it the largest class among the three. Also known as mosses, common examples of Bryopsida include polytrichum and funaria, among others.