Question

Thallophyta includes
(a)Fungi and Bryophyta
(b)Algae and Bryophyta
(c)Algae and Fungi
(d)Algae only

Answer 1

Hint: The simplest plants belong to thallophyta, their plant's body is undifferentiated. Often symbiotic association is seen between members of thallophyta and higher plants. Lichen and mycorrhiza are examples of such association.

Complete answer:
The plants were classified into two categories by Engler, Thallophyta, and Embryophyta. In the plants belonging to Thallophyta, embryo formation was absent and in the plants belonging to Embryophyta, embryo formation was present. The Thallophyta included Fungi and Algae under it.
Features of members belonging to Thallophyta are:
-The plant body is undifferentiated (roots, stems, and leaves are not distinguishable) and is known as thallus.
-Reproductive organs are single-celled and non-jacketed.
-The developmental stage does not have an embryo.
-Vascular tissues are not present.

Additional Information: Algae:
-These organisms have thallus like plant body, chlorophyll, accessory spores. The reproduction occurs by the asexual method, no embryo stage is present.
-The name Algae was coined by Linnaeus, but it was used to denote the current organism by A.L de Jussieu.
-The study of Algae is known as Phycology or Algology. The Father of phycology is F.E Fritsch.
-Algae cell wall contains cellulose, chlorophyll a and β carotene are the universal pigments in all types of algae.
-Algae are divided into three classes. Rhodophyceae or Red Algae, Phaeophyceae or Brown Algae, and Chlorophyceae or Green algae.

Fungi:
-The term Fungi was derived from the Latin word ‘Fungour’ the meaning of which is ‘to flourish’.
-Gaspard Bauhin was the first to use the term Fungi.
-Fungi are achlorophyllous, heterotrophic, non-vascular, non- flowering, haploid, and multicellular eukaryotic organisms.
-The study of fungi is known as Mycology. The Father of Indian Mycology is E.J Butler and The Father of Mycology is Per Antonio Michelli.
-The cell wall of fungi is composed of chitin which is also known as fungal cellulose.
-Fungi are classified into four classes. Phycomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Deuteromycetes.

So, the correct answer is, ‘Thallophyta includes Algae and Fungi’.

Note: It should be remembered that the Thallophyta not only included algae and fungi but also bacteria. Currently, algae are placed under plant kingdom, but bacteria and fungi are placed separately under kingdom monera and kingdom fungi respectively. A symbiotic association is seen between fungi and algae known as lichen. Algae is photosynthetic and hence produces food and the fungal part provides the algae with nutrients and raw materials.