Q.168 Zoology ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active

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NEET 2025 Zoology Question 168 Solution

Topic: Plant Kingdom · Official NTA Booklet Code 45

Question

In bryophytes, the gemmae help in which one of the following?

(1)Sexual reproduction
(2)Asexual reproduction
(3)Nutrient absorption
(4)Gaseous exchange

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Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key

Option (2) : Asexual reproduction

📚 Plant Kingdom Easy

📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup

Plant Group Bryophytes (specifically Liverworts, e.g. Marchantia)

Structure Gemmae (asexual vegetative buds produced in gemma cups)

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The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Marchantia Gemmae Role Fingerprint

⏱️ Save ~10 seconds

Gemmae are green, multicellular, ASEXUAL BUDS born in gemma cups that detach to germinate into new thalli -> ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION!

1 Recall NCERT Section 3.2.1 (Liverworts) verbatim:

2 - "Asexual reproduction in liverworts takes place by fragmentation of thalli, or by the formation of specialised structures called gemmae (sing. gemma)."

3 - "Gemmae are green, multicellular, asexual buds, which develop in small receptacles called gemma cups located on the thalli."

4 - "The gemmae become detached from the parent body and germinate to form new individuals."

5 Direct function: Asexual reproduction!

6 Select Option (2) Asexual reproduction!

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Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Liverwort vs Moss Sporophyte Structure (NCERT Biology · Plant Kingdom: Foot, seta, capsule with elaters vs peristome teeth).

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Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Morphology and Nature of Gemmae

In hepaticopsid bryophytes (liverworts like *Marchantia*), the gametophytic thallus produces specialized reproductive propagules called gemmae:

• Gemma cups: Small, crescent- or cup-shaped receptacles located on the dorsal surface of the thallus along the midrib.
• Gemmae: Green, photosynthetic, multicellular, disc-shaped vegetative bodies attached by tiny stalks inside the gemma cup.

Step 2

Mechanism of Vegetative Propagation

How gemmae establish new colonies:

• Rain drops splashing into the gemma cups break the delicate stalks, disseminating the gemmae onto moist soil.
• Each gemma possesses two lateral growing notches containing meristematic cells.
• Upon detachment, each notch germinates mitotically into a new haploid gametophytic thallus genetically identical to the parent.
• Because no meiosis or fusion of gametes is involved, this represents pure asexual reproduction.

Step 3

Conclusion

Gemmae function exclusively in asexual reproduction, matching Option (2).

\text{Gemmae} = \text{Asexual Multicellular Buds} \implies \text{Asexual Reproduction}

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360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan

1 A

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Sexual reproduction in liverworts is oogamous and carried out by antheridia and archegonia on specialized antheridiophores and archegoniophores.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing vegetative propagules with sexual gametangia.

2 B

✓ 100% Correct

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

100% correct. Direct verbatim NCERT fact: gemmae are asexual buds mediating vegetative propagation.

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Why this is airtight: None; textbook mastery.

3 C

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Water and nutrient absorption from substratum is performed by unicellular rhizoids.

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Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing gemma cups with rhizoids.

4 D

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Gaseous exchange occurs through air pores present on the dorsal epidermis of the thallus.

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Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing gemma cups with air pores.

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NTA Trap Alert: Asexual (Gemmae) vs Sexual (Gametangia) in Marchantia

NCERT figures of Marchantia show: 1. Gemma cups on the thallus = ASEXUAL reproduction. 2. Umbrella-like Archegoniophore and Antheridiophore = SEXUAL reproduction!

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Gemma cups = Asexual buds.

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Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NEET Biology Core Syllabus · Plant Kingdom Standard Benchmark

Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"Gemmae are green, multicellular, asexual buds developed in gemma cups for asexual reproduction."

Syllabus Focus: Bryophytes · Liverworts (Asexual Reproduction)

✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

GEMMAE = Growing Exact Multicellular Asexual Entities!

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NEET 2025 Zoology Question 168 Solution

Question

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Marchantia Gemmae Role Fingerprint

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Morphology and Nature of Gemmae

Mechanism of Vegetative Propagation

Conclusion

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

NTA Trap Alert: Asexual (Gemmae) vs Sexual (Gametangia) in Marchantia

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

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