What are the characteristics and division of Thallophyte?

Thallophyta Overview 

Thallophytes (Thallophyta, Thallophyto, or Thallobionta) are a polyphyletic group of nonmotile creatures known as "thalloid plants," "very basic plants," or "lower plants." They are part of the Plantae kingdom, which also includes lichens and algae, as well as bryophytes, bacteria, and slime molds. However, unlike cormophytes, thallophytes have undifferentiated bodies with stems and roots. 

What is Thallophyte?

Different types or groupings of Thallophytes contribute significantly to the overall sphere and dynamism of the marine environment. Various thallophyte groups make important contributions to marine environments. In 1836, Stephan Endlicher, an Austrian botanist of the 19th century, divided the vegetative world into thallophytes (algae, lichens, fungi) and cormophytes (containing bryophytes and therefore being equal to Embryophyta in this case). Cormogens were a significantly smaller group than Endlicher's cormophytes, consisting of just ferns (including Equisetopsida) and lycopodiophytes.

Thallophyta is a division of the plant kingdom that includes primordial forms of plant life with a basic plant body. The first 10 phyla are known as thallophytes. They are basic plants with no stems, roots, or leaves. They are not embryophytes. These plants thrive mostly in water.

Thallophyta examples are as follows- 

1. Ectocarpus
2. Chlamydomonas
3. Volvox
4. Laminaria

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Thallophyta Subdivisions

The thallophyta are classified into two groups-

1. Myxothallophyta (myxomycetes)
2. Euthallophyta (bacteria, fungus, lichens, algae). Adolf Engler was the first to adopt the word Euthallophyta.

Thallophytes are a polyphyletic collection of non-mobile organisms that exhibit similarities in traits but do not share a common ancestor. They were previously classified as a sub-kingdom of the kingdom of Plantae.

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Characteristics of Thallophyte

The following are some of the characteristics of thallophyta-

1. They are typically found in damp or wet environments.
2. This is owing to the lack of "real roots" and vascular tissue, which are required for water and mineral delivery. As a result, they are found in damp or wet environments.
3. They are naturally autotrophic.
4. The majority of this group produces their own food. However, other members, such as fungus, rely on other sources of sustenance.
5. Generally, reserve food is starch.
6. Glucose is created and eaten nearly quickly after photosynthesis; the residual glucose is transformed into complex molecules known as starch.
7. They have a cellulose cell wall that surrounds their cells.
8. Vascular tissue is missing.
9. Unlike other plants, it lacks a xylem and phloem.
10. Sex organs are basic, single-celled organisms that do not create embryos after fertilization.

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Thallophyta Classification

If we look at the overall structure or division of the plant kingdom, Thallophyta is at the bottom. It does not have a well-structured body design. It means that there is no structure in the plant's body, such as roots, stems, or leaves. These plants are always aquatic and are generally referred to as algae. However, in addition to the above-mentioned plant kingdom segmentation, a sub-division of this specific plant is accessible. Thallophyta is divided into two major divisions-

• Algae

These are the chlorophyll-containing thalloids. They are generally autotrophic aquatic plants. The algae protect the sloth from predators by providing it with camouflage and extra nourishment. Spirogyra is one of the most prevalent and significant instances. Some of the fundamental properties of algae are as follows-

1. These have no leaves, stalks, or roots.
2. They have chlorophyll as well as other types of pigment to carry out photosynthesis.
3. They might be unicellular or multicellular in nature.
4. The majority of the time, unicellular algae, especially plankton, are found in water.

• Fungi

They are achlorophyllous (don't make chlorophyll). heterotrophic thallophytes. To offset this disadvantage, the fungus may form a symbiotic connection with an alga or a cyanobacterium. Because algae contain chlorophyll, they can create food, and the fungus offers a protective habitat that protects the algae from UV radiation. Lichen is an example of two species working together as one. Fungi have the following characteristics-

1. They are not mobile.
2. They are the best recyclers.
3. Unlike plants, chitin is employed to construct cell walls rather than cellulose.

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Things to Keep in Mind for Thallophyte

1. Thallophytes are a polyphyletic category of non-motile creatures known as "thalloid plants," "very basic plants," or "lower plants."
2. Thallophytes are an extinct kingdom division. 
3. Plantae includes lichens and algae, as well as bryophytes, bacteria, and slime molds.
4. It is distinct from other plants in that it lacks a phloem and xylem.
5. This plant lacks vascular tissue. 
6. There is no cellulose cell wall in these plant cells.
7. This group's plant members are among the most primordial kinds of plants. 
8. Their bodies are not divided into leaves, stems, and roots. 
9. They appear to have a uniform thallus. 
10. The group is generally referred to as algae.
11. One of the key features of the thallophyta is the release of glucose following photosynthesis, which is rapidly eaten. 
12. The remaining glucose is converted into starch, a complicated molecule.

Also read more about Bryophyta, Gemmules, Entomophily or Insect Pollination and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sample Questions to Practice

Q.1 Why are thallophytes included in the Cryptogamae?

Q.2 Why are thallophytes a polyphyletic group of organisms?

Q.3 How are algae classified?

Q.4 Why are thallophytes included in the Cryptogamae?

Q.5 What sort of plant is a thallophyta?

Q.6 What are the properties of thallophyta?

Q.7 What exactly is meant by thallophyta?

Q.9 How do bryophytes vary from algae and thallophytes?

Q.9 What role does algae play?

Q.10 A haploid gametophyte is what type of cell?

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