Differentiate between the following: (i) red algae and brown algae (ii) liverworts and moss (iii) homosporous and heterosporous pteridophyte

– (i) Red Algae vs. Brown Algae: 1. Pigments: Red algae contain chlorophyll a and d, and phycoerythrin; brown algae have chlorophyll a and c, and fucoxanthin. 2. Stored Food: Red algae store floridean starch; brown algae store laminarin or mannitol. 3. Habitat: Red algae are mostly found in warmer waters; brown algae are predominant in colder marine environments. 4. Cell Wall Composition: Red algae have cellulose and polysulfate esters; brown algae have cellulose and alginic acid. – (ii) Liverworts vs. Moss: 1. Thallus Structure: Liverworts have a thalloid or leafy body without a midrib; mosses have a leafy shoot with a central midrib. 2. Rhizoids: Liverworts possess unicellular rhizoids; mosses have multicellular rhizoids. 3. Sporophyte: Liverwort sporophyte is simple and short-lived; moss sporophyte is more developed with a capsule and seta. 4. Habitat: Liverworts prefer moist, shaded environments; mosses can inhabit a wider range, including drier areas. – (iii) Homosporous vs. Heterosporous Pteridophytes: 1. Spore Type: Homosporous produce one type of spore; heterosporous produce microspores and megaspores. 2. Gametophyte: Homosporous spores develop into bisexual gametophytes; heterosporous spores develop into unisexual gametophytes. 3. Examples: Homosporous—Lycopodium; Heterosporous—Selaginella, Marsilea.