Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants

Problem 13

Chapter 27, Problem 13

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more. Beyond the results presented here, what other evidence would be useful when drawing conclusions about the role of springtails in moss reproduction?

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Identify and observe the behavior of springtails in controlled experiments to see if they actively transport moss sperm from male to female gametophytes.

Conduct genetic studies to determine if offspring of moss plants have genetic material from different parental sources, indicating successful fertilization through sperm transport.

Use tracking dyes or markers on sperm to visually confirm if springtails are carrying the sperm from one gametophyte to another.

Compare rates of fertilization in moss populations with and without the presence of springtails to assess the impact of these organisms on moss reproduction.

Study the environmental conditions, such as humidity and temperature, to understand how these factors might influence the role of springtails in the transport of moss sperm.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Moss Reproduction

Mosses reproduce through a life cycle that includes both gametophyte and sporophyte stages. The gametophyte is the dominant stage, producing male and female gametes. Fertilization occurs when motile sperm swim to the egg, often facilitated by environmental factors. Understanding this process is crucial for analyzing the role of other organisms, like springtails, in moss reproduction.

Role of Springtails

Springtails are small, soil-dwelling arthropods that can influence the ecosystem by aiding in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling. Their potential role in moss reproduction may involve facilitating the movement of sperm or spores, or even affecting the moisture levels necessary for sperm motility. Investigating their interactions with mosses can provide insights into their ecological significance.

Ecological Interactions

Ecological interactions refer to the relationships between different organisms within an ecosystem, including mutualism, commensalism, and predation. In the context of moss reproduction, understanding how springtails interact with mosses and their gametes can reveal important dynamics that affect fertilization success. Evidence of these interactions can help clarify the role of springtails in enhancing or hindering moss reproductive processes.

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Interspecific Interactions

Related Practice

Textbook Question

You have been hired as a field assistant for a researcher interested in the evolution of flower characteristics in orchids. Design an experiment to determine whether color, size, shape, scent, or amount of nectar is the most important factor in attracting pollinators to a particular species. Assume that you can change any flower's color with a dye and that you can remove petals or nectar stores, add particular scents, add nectar by injection, or switch parts among species by cutting and gluing.

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Textbook Question

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more. Researchers hypothesized that small animals called springtails (a type of arthropod) facilitate sperm transfer in mosses. To test this hypothesis, the researchers grew patches of male and female mosses at varying distances from each other and in the presence or absence of springtails. They later checked to see how many sporophytes were found in each female patch (as an indicator that fertilization had occurred). Their results are shown in the graph here (** means P<0.01, * means P>0.05. What conclusions can be drawn about the role of the springtails during the reproductive cycle of the mosses?

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Textbook Question

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more. What structure do moss sperm use for motility, and how does that reflect the evolution of land plants from green algae?

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Textbook Question

Moss sperm are motile and capable of swimming short distances to fertilize an egg. However, it was unknown until recently how sperm make their way from male to female gametophytes that may be separated by a distance of several centimeters or more. Besides springtails, are there other ways moss sperm may be transferred from male to female gametophytes?