Pace work

8 form

08/04/2020

Тема: «Спорові рослини»

Mosses are a fascinating division of plants distinct from more commonly recognized groups such as trees, grasses, and ferns. Mosses are also known as Bryophyta and are one among three groups of bryophytes, which are non-vascular plants with wholly enclosed reproductive systems. There are more than 14,000 species of Bryophyta that grow in an array of colors and can be found on all seven continents. While most species prefer damp and shaded environments - often woodlands - some mosses thrive in desert areas, as well as ice-covered regions such as Antarctica. 

Mosses are typically 0.1–3.9 inches (0.2–10 cm) in height, though select species can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. Bryophyta lack the root structure characteristic of many plants, instead attaching themselves to their environment via hairy protrusions called rhizoids. Most Bryophyta collect water and compounds through the air, using them in conjunction with the sun to create food by way of photosynthesis. Mosses don’t have flowers or seeds, but reproduce via spores. 

Contrary to popular myth, mosses don’t just grow on the north side of trees, though many Bryophyta do avoid southern exposure due to the sun’s intense rays. Fallacious lore aside, there are actually some truly bizarre and amazing moss facts that surround these little, unassuming green clumps. So, with most of the basics out of the way, read on to take a deeper dive into some of the crazy things Bryophyta can do. 

8 surprising facts about moss

Discover some interesting, fun and weird facts about these small flowerless plants!

1. Moss was the very first plant on earth. At the beginning, there was – moss. About  450 million years ago, first algae adapted to life on earth and mosses evolved.

2. Reindeers love moss

Most animals don’t eat moss. It’s hard to digest, and it has little nutritional value. So why are reindeer different? The moss contains a special chemical that helps reindeer keep their blood warm. It keeps them warm during their yearly journey across the Arctic region, much like antifreeze keeps a car from freezing up in winter.

 3. Mosses don’t have roots

Instead, they have cell filaments (rhizoids). Even though mosses live all over the world. Unlike the roots of most plants, rhizoids allow moss to attach to many different kinds of surfaces.

4. Mosses can indicate pollutionAs mosses do not have roots, they need to get their nutrients from the air. They absorb whatever is in the air – including pollutants, meaning moss is a good bioindicator of air pollution. An EU research project is already testing a lab-grown peat moss to measure air quality within urban sprawls. If this could be  extended to forests, fields, and rivers, it would allow to study a complete picture of the effects of pollution on the ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AG211Y6eWc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2zKxHnVWoU

H/W: Answer the questions:

What surfaces can moss grow on?

What does moss need to survive?

How Moss is formed?