Bryophyta includes mosses and liverworts. It is best described as being nonvascular.

Bryophyta includes mosses and liverworts. It is best described as being nonvascular.

• A. They have true xylem and phloem
• B. They reproduce using seeds
• C. They are nonvascular and lack xylem
• D. They live in deserts

Answer: (C)

Nonvascular plants lack the tissue that moves water and nutrients around—xylem and phloem. Because of that, Bryophyta (mosses and liverworts) absorb water directly through their surfaces and rely on diffusion for internal transport, so they stay small and grow close to the ground in moist environments. They do not produce seeds; instead they reproduce by spores in sporangia, and their life cycle features a prominent gametophyte generation (the moss or liverwort you see) with a smaller, dependent sporophyte. The idea that they live in deserts isn’t typical, since they need regular moisture to thrive. So describing them as nonvascular and lacking xylem best captures what Bryophyta are.

Nonvascular plants lack the tissue that moves water and nutrients around—xylem and phloem. Because of that, Bryophyta (mosses and liverworts) absorb water directly through their surfaces and rely on diffusion for internal transport, so they stay small and grow close to the ground in moist environments. They do not produce seeds; instead they reproduce by spores in sporangia, and their life cycle features a prominent gametophyte generation (the moss or liverwort you see) with a smaller, dependent sporophyte. The idea that they live in deserts isn’t typical, since they need regular moisture to thrive. So describing them as nonvascular and lacking xylem best captures what Bryophyta are.