Question

Marchantia is considered as a heterothallic plant because it is
a) Heterogametic
b) Bisexual
c) Monoecious
d) Dioecious

Answer 1

Hint:These are the plants which have both the reproductive organs i.e. male and female but present in the separate individuals. The reproduction of this type is called biparental reproduction.

Complete answer:
Marchantia belongs to the kingdom Plantae. They have two distinct layers: the upper layer which is also called photosynthetic layer which have well defined epidermis with a pore and the second layer is the lower layer which is used for the storage. These plants can be reproduced sexually or asexually. In sexual reproduction, sperm from the male plant (antheridia) fertilizes an egg in the female plant(archegonium). These antheridia and archegonia are the special gametophyte stalks which are called as antheridiophores and archegoniophores. These are present on the separate thalli that is why marchantia is considered as a heterothallic plant because these plants are dioecious.

Additional information: Asexual reproduction involves the gemmae which is discoid clumps of the cells that are same genetically and contain cup-like structure on the surface of the plant. This type of production can also take place when the plants are older.

Thus, the correct answer is option D. i.e., Dioecious.

Note:Marchantia are the genus of the ribbon-like creeping plants. These are commonly found in the moist soil in the Northern Hemisphere. Marchantia polymorpha is the species which comes under the marchantia. The outer part of the marchantia is used in the process of photosynthesis and the inner part is used for storing the food. These are also play vital role in the asexual reproduction because gemmae are present on them.