Differences Between Vascular and Nonvascular Plants
What are Vascular Plants?
Vascular plants are plants that have a well-defined vascular system comprised of xylem and phloem for water and food transportation, respectively. Water and minerals are transported from the roots to the leaves by xylem, whereas sucrose and other organic nutrients are transported throughout the plant by phloem. Vascular plants first appeared approximately 430 million years ago. The evolution of vascular tissue enabled these plants to dominate on land by gaining structural support from lignified xylem and long-distance water and nutrient movement via xylem and phloem, respectively. Tracheophytes and higher plants are other names for vascular plants. This category includes all seeding plants (Gymnosperms and Angiosperms) as well as pteridophytes (ferns, lycophytes and horsetails).
These plants can form tree-like structures because their vascular tissues can transport water and nutrients over long distances. Gymnosperms and Angiosperms produce an embryo within their seeds. The embryo is resistant to drought and predation because it is protected by a hard, outer coating. Seeds can remain dormant until the right conditions for germination are met. Flowering plants bear flowers, fruit, or wood. Vascular plants are distinguished by their roots, stems, and leaves. Cutin, a waxy substance that forms the cuticle, makes up the dermal tissue system of these plants.
The cuticle creates a protective covering for the plant’s body against water desiccation. It also regulates gas exchange via stomata, which are pores within the cuticle.
What are Non-vascular Plants?
Non-vascular plants lack a specialized vascular system for water and nutrient transport. They may contain simple structures that specialize in transportation, such as algae and bryophytes. Non-vascular plants are small in size due to poor water and gas transport. As a result, they lack true roots and true leaves. Because of the lack of vascular tissue, some non-vascular plants have leaf-like structures that cannot be classified as leaves. Rhizoids are root-like structures found in non-vascular plants.
Because non-vascular plants lack a vascular system in their rhizoids, they must rely on diffusion and osmosis. As a result, in order to contact the cell surfaces with water, these plants are restricted to moist habitats. Some non-vascular plants, on the other hand, can withstand dehydration and recover without harm. As a result, they are known as poikilohydric. The haploid gametophyte is the dominant stage of the life cycle. Because gametocytes are green, they are photosynthetic. Bryophytes and Algae are the two groups of non-vascular plants. Bryophytes are classified into three groups: Bryophyta (mosses), Marchantiophyta (liverworts), and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts).
The Differences Between Vascular and Non Vascular plants
Non-vascular plants lack a specialized vascular system, whereas vascular plants have a well-developed vascular system.
Vascular plants have true roots, stems, and leaves, whereas non-vascular plants do not have true roots, stems, or leaves.
The main plant body of vascular plants is the diploid sporophyte, whereas the main plant body of non-vascular plants is the haploid gametophyte.
Vascular plants have complex vascular tissues, such as xylem and phloem, whereas non-vascular plants do not.
Vascular plants can grow very tall, whereas non-vascular plants are small.
Vascular plants may or may not require water for fertilization, whereas non-vascular plants must.
Non-vascular plants lack specialized dermal tissues to resist water loss or to facilitate gas exchange. Vascular plants have cuticles to prevent desiccation and stomata to facilitate gas exchange.
In the absence of transpiration, vascular plant roots absorb water passively via osmosis, whereas non-vascular plants rely on diffusion and osmosis.
Non-vascular plants reproduce through spores, whereas vascular plants reproduce through seeds.
Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms are examples of vascular plants, while algae and bryophytes are examples of non-vascular plants.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Differences Between Vascular and Nonvascular Plants
Which characteristic distinguishes vascular plants from nonvascular plants?
Vascular plants are distinguished by the presence of stems, leaves, roots, flowers, or seeds. Nonvascular plants, on the other hand, have rhizoids (roots) and thallus (green body).
Why do nonvascular plants grow to be smaller than vascular plants?
There are two reasons why these plants are small and low-growing. First, their lack of vascular tissue limits their ability to transport water internally, limiting the size to which they can grow before their outermost portions dry out. They do have cuticles, which prevent some water loss through stomata used for gas exchange.
What are the three main differences between vascular and nonvascular plants?
Non-vascular plants are those that grow in damp, moist environments and lack specialized vascular tissues. Tracheophytes are another name for vascular plants. Bryophytes and lower plants are other names for non-vascular plants. Non-vascular plants are more numerous and diverse than vascular plants.
