Characteristics, Division and Examples of Thallophytes

In this article, we are describing a part of the plant kingdom that is “Thallophyta”. Thallophyta is the most important and first part of the plant kingdom. It is important for your exam point view so read complete information about Thallophyta which is mentioned below. Bookmark this article for your reference.

Thallophytes :

Thallophytes, also known as thallobionta or thallophyta, are mostly non–mobile organisms belonging to a polyphyletic group. Thallophytes are frequently referred to as called “lower plants” or “relatively small plants” “thalloid plants” and “Simple Plants”. They were previously classified as a sub-kingdom of the kingdom Plantae. Thallophyte is the first classified kingdom of the plant kingdom which participated in the primitive forms of plant life seen as a simple plant body structure. Although it does not present a common ancestral origin, they are grouped under one class based on other similar characteristics. The body Skeleton of thallophytes does not consist of a vascular system and hence conducting tissues are absent. Thallophytes do not have well-differentiated bodies with stems and roots. This is the part of thallophytes lichens, algae, fungus, bacteria, slime molds, and bryophytes.

Characteristics of Thallophyta :

Some of the specific characteristics of thallophyta are mentioned below :

• Vascular tissue is needed to transport water and minerals, so they exist in moist or wet locations.
  
• They are mostly autotrophic plants because most members of this group prepare their own food spontaneously. But some members such as fungi are dependent on other sources of food.
  
• After the process of photosynthesis, glucose is developed and consumed almost instantly, the remaining glucose is transformed into complex compounds known as starch. The plant reserved food in the form of starch.
  
• Their sexual reproduction occurs through the fusion of two gametes. There may or may not be any changes of generation present or available. The life cycle may be categorized into diplohaplontic, diplontic, or diploid.
  
• The sex organs of thallophytic are simple and single-celled.  there is no embryo formation after fertilization.
  

Division of Thalophyta :

1. Algae :

• Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis due to the presence of chlorophyll. 
  
• Most algae are aquatic.
  
• Algae are terrestrial and may be present in moist soil, trees, and rocky places.
  
• They are mostly autotrophic plants. Most people are familiar with some types of algae, including pond scum, algal blooms in lakes, and seaweeds (like kelp or phytoplankton).
  
• In this plant, it has been observed that green algae form symbiotic relationships with fungi that are prominent in the lush tropical rainforests of South America and Central America.
  
• Sloth fur is very fine and absorbs water easily. Therefore, sloth fur creates a moist and moist environment for algae to grow. The algae in turn provide the sloth with more nutrition and camouflage from predators. 

Example: Spirogyra

Types of Algae :

Algae are categorized into three major groups : 

Brown algae (Phaeophyceae)
Green algae (Chlorophyta)
Red algae (Rhodophyta)

Brown algae (Phaeophyceae) :

Brown algae are a group of algae that are part of the Phaeophyceae class. They are named brown algae because of their color, which varies from brown to olive green. They are usually present in marine habitats. There are approximately 1500 species of brown algae, which vary in size and shape. They are multicellular and the color depends on the presence of the pigment, fucoxanthin. They contain seaweeds, some of the notable examples are Ectocarpus, Fucus, giant kelps, Sargassum, etc.

Green algae (Chlorophyta) :

Green algae are part of the phylum Chlorophyta, which consists of the green pigment chlorophyll, and are most closely connected to plants due to pigments that are comparable.

Red algae (Rhodophyta) :

Red algae is a distinctive type of species that is mainly present in freshwater lakes and is the oldest type of eukaryotic algae. They are red in color as a result of the presence of pigments called phycocyanin or phycoerythrin.

Characteristics of Algae :

• Algae are  either photosynthetic organisms or unicellular or multicellular organisms
• Algae has not a well-differentiated body structure such as roots, stems, or leaves.
• Algae are placed in adequate moisture areas.
• Algae reproduction can take place in both modes, asexual and sexual. Sporulation is the method used for asexual reproduction.
• Algae can make up symbiotic relationships with other organisms, but most are independent living things.

2. Fungi

• They are achlorophyllous, heterotrophic thallophytes mean that they can not synthesize their own food. Sometimes, to overcome this handicap, fungi may create a symbiotic relationship with an alga or a cyanobacterium. 
  
• The algae can develop food as it has chlorophyll and the fungi in return provide a safe environment that shields the algae from UV rays. Lichen is an example where two organisms act as a single unit. 
  
• The field of biology known as mycology is dedicated to the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetic makeup, and metabolic processes.

Characteristics of Fungi :

• Fungi are eukaryotic, non-vascular, non-motile, and heterotrophic organisms.
• Fungi due to the absence of chlorophyll, cannot perform photosynthesis.
• Fungi reserve their food in the form of starch.
• Biosynthesis of chitin occurs in fungi.
• The fungi have very small nuclei.
• There is no embryonic stage in the fungi. They grow out of spores..
• Fungi have both modes of reproduction, sexual or asexual.