Question

Ulothrix is an example of
A. Bryophyta
B. Thallophyta
C. Pteridophyta
D. Animalia

Answer 1

Hint: Ulothrix belongs to class chlorophyceae. This is a freshwater algae growing on substratum like rocks and sand particles etc. They are usually green due to the dominance of pigments chlorophyll a and b.

Complete answer
A. Bryophyta – Bryophytes are generally classified into three main groups:
(i) Hepaticopsida: commonly called liverworts.
(ii) Anthocerotopsida: commonly called hornworts.
(iii) Bryopsida: commonly called masses.
Examples of Bryophytes are – Marchantia, Anthoceros, Funaria, Sphagnum, Polytrichum commune etc.
(iv) Bryophytes are used to obtain a number of antibiotic substances.
(v) They are also known as pollution indicators.
(vi) The tea prepared from Polytrichum commune is used to dissolve kidney and gall bladder stones.

B. Thallophyta- Thallophyta are divided into three classes:
(i) Chlorophyceae – They are green algae e.g. Ulothrix, cladophora, volvox, spirogyra etc.
(ii) Phaeophyceae – commonly called brown algae, e.g. Ectocarpus, Dictyota, Laminaris, Sargassum etc
(iii) Rhodophyceae – commonly called red algae, e.g. Gracilaria, Gelidium and Porphyra etc.
(iv) Algae is used as food. Brown algae like Laminaria or Kelps are rich sources of potash and iodine. Iodine is an important constituent of thyroid hormones and used in the treatment of goiter.
(v) Laminaria is an effective blood anticoagulant.
(vi) Agar is obtained from Geliduim and Gracilaria.
(vii) Extracts of Corallina are used for the treatment of kidney, bladder and lung diseases.
(viii) Polysiphonia has antibacterial properties.

C. Pteridophyta- They includes:
(i) Lycopodium (clubmoss)
(ii) Selaginella (Spikemoss)
(iii) Equisetum (Horsetails)
(iv) Ferns
(v) Drug obtained from Dryopteris (i.e. fern) and lycopodium is used in treatment of rheumatism and disorders of kidneys and lungs.
(vi) Adiantum (fern) roots are used to curve throat infections.

D. Animalia – Millions of species of animals have been discovered till now. These species differ in structure and form. Animals show three structural levels:
(i) Cellular level (Porifera)
(ii) Tissue level (coelenterata)
(iii) Organ system level (Platyhelminthes to chordate)

Note:Ulothrix is terrestrial and grows anywhere on moist soil, walls and rocks. Chloroplast of Ulothrix is girdle shaped.