Round 4: Tossup 13
These structures are classified as alete if their surfaces lack laesura or ridge lines. Buildup of Buller’s drops accompanies the release of these structures in a “surface tension catapult” mechanism. These structures are concentrated in strobili by Equisetum. Blastic and thallic processes produce a non-motile type of these structures called conidia. Columella support “vessels” enclosing these structures, which are singular and unbranched in bryophytes. A haploid gametophyte phase contrasts with a diploid phase that produces these structures in alternation of generations. Puffballs have fruiting bodies that burst to release these structures, which are formed in gills beneath the cap. For 10 points, name these reproductive structures that, unlike seeds, are dispersed as unicellular units. ■END■
ANSWER: spores [accept sporangium or sporangia; accept microspores or microsporangium or microsporangia; accept megaspores or megasporangium or microsporangia; accept sporophytes or sporophyte phase; accept sporeling; accept chlamydospores; accept conidium or conidia or conidiospores until read; prompt on fruiting bodies until read by asking “what is the core reproductive structure in them?”; reject “endospores”]
<Toronto B, Biology> | Packet E - Chicago A, Toronto B, Brandeis B, JHU A
= Average correct buzzpoint
Back to tossups