Practice question

Embryophyte name derived by Bower directly refers to retention and nutritional support of diploid embryo within maternal thallus after fertilization. Unlike algal zygote often released free-living and dormant, land plant zygote divides mitotically developing into multicellular embryo inside archegonium venter receiving nutrients via specialized placental transfer cells with labyrinthine walls, ensuring early development protected from drying and UV. Fungi produce dikaryotic mycelium after plasmogamy, cyanobacteria lack embryonic development completely, most algae lack maternal retention. Matrotrophy represents crucial adaptation allowing offspring survival in variable terrestrial conditions.