Mosses

Phylum Bryophyta consists of mosses, liverworts and hornworts. Bryophytes have life cycles that involve an alternation of generations between a haploid gametophyte and a diploid sporophyte. Reproduction is dependent on water. Therefore, mosses can only survive in wet areas. Bryophytes do not have water conducting tubes, water passes from cell to cell by osmosis. They also lack a protective surface to keep water from evaporating from their cells. Also, mosses do not have true roots.


                                                 Moss 

Two different types of moss

                                           Sporophytes

Moss with very obvious sporophytes 

Moss Life Cycle

This is a diagram of the life cycle of a Moss. They reproduce via alternation of generations. They begin as spores, and develop into sex organs (haploids). The sex organs fertilize each other to form an embryo. This eventually produces a mature sporophyte (diploid). Then, once spores are released, the cycle begins once again. This process will be seen in most of the different types of life cycles we will be looking at.

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/moss.html 
Above is a link to an awesome animation that explains the life cycle of a Moss more in detail.






Also, Moss have been able to adapt to a land environment because of their unique reproductive structures. The Antheridium and Archegonium, moss reproductive structures, protect games from drying out, giving the eggs of mosses a better chance at survival during dry, land conditions.