Which of the following does not possess a specialized conducting tissue for transport of water and other substances in plants?

Specialized conducting tissues, namely xylem and phloem, are the hallmark of vascular plants (tracheophytes). These tissues facilitate the transport of water, minerals, and photosynthetic products throughout the plant body [4]. Bryophytes, which include liverworts, hornworts, and mosses, are defined as non-vascular plants because they lack these specialized structures [2]. Marchantia is a genus of liverworts and thus does not possess true vascular tissue [2]. In contrast, Marsilea and ferns are pteridophytes, which are vascular cryptogams that possess well-differentiated vascular bundles [1]. Cycas is a gymnosperm, a group of advanced plants that also utilize specialized vascular tissues for internal transport. Therefore, among the given options, only Marchantia lacks specialized conducting tissue.

Sources

1. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > 5.4.2 Transportation in Plants > p. 94
2. [4] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > What you have learnt > p. 99
3. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > 6. Pteridophytes > p. 157