- Interpolation theory
:"This article is about Interpolation Theory in Biology. See also
interpolation (mathematics),interpolation (music) ,interpolation (manuscripts) andinterpolation (computer programming) ".The Interpolation Theory, also known as the Intercalation Theory or the Antithetic Theory, is a theory that attempts to explain the origin of the
alternation of generations inplants . The Interpolation Theory suggests that thesporophyte generation progenated from ahaploid , greenalgal thallus in which repeatedmitotic cell divisions of azygote produced anembryo retained on thethallus and gave rise to thediploid phase (sporophyte ). Ensuingevolution caused thesporophyte to become increasingly complex, both oranographically and anatomically.The Interpolation Theory was introduced by Celakovsky (1874) as the Antithetic Theory. Bower (1889) further developed this theory and renamed it the Interpolation Theory. The theory was later supported by Overton (1893), Scott (1896), Strasburger (1897), Williams (1904), and others.
The gradual
evolution of an independent,sporophyte phase was viewed by Bower as being closely related to the transition from aquatic to terrestrial plant life on Earth. The supporters of the Interpolation Theory believe that the progenators of land plants werealgal -like, and evolved for terrestrial life under water stresses. The oldest knownfossils of land plants were discovered in the cores ofboreholes inOman . The cores contained sets of four connectedspore cells, divided from one mother cell. These sets of four are referred to astetrads . The tetrads were enveloped by the remains of thespore sac in which they were developed. Study of the spore wall indicates a relationship with theliverworts . Thefossils have been dated around the MiddleOrdovician and are about 475 million years old.Evidence supporting this theory can be found in the life cycle of modern
Bryophytes in which thesporophyte is physiologically dependent on thegametophyte . Competing theories include the Transformation theory, which was introduced as theHomologous theory by Celacovsky, and also renamed by Bower.References
* Gifford, Ernest M. and Adriance S. Foster. "Morphology and Evolution of Vascular Plants, Third Edition". New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1988. 15-19.
* Sinha, A.K. and Anil Kumar. "Botany for Degree Students - Pteridophyta". S. Chand. 9-10.
* Taylor, Thomas N., Hans Kerp, and Hagen Hass. "Life History Biology of Early Land Plants: Deciphering the Gametophyte Phase". PNAS. 2005. vol 102. no 16.
* Chopra, R.N., P.K. Kumra. "Biology of Bryophytes". New Age International Publishers. 125.
* "How Plants Conquered the Land". Hans' Paleobotany Pages.
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