What is the Difference Between Bud of Hydra and Bud of Bryophyllum

The main difference between bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophyllum is that the bud of Hydra forms at the budding zone whereas the bud of Bryophyllum grows on the leaf. Furthermore, Hydra produces fewer buds that are active all the time while Bryophyllum produces a large number of buds that remain in a dormant stage.

Bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophullum are two specialized structures of living organisms, aiding in asexual reproduction.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is the Bud of Hydra
     – Definition, Structure, Role
2. What is the Bud of Bryophyllum
     – Definition, Structure, Role
3. What are the Similarities Between Bud of Hydra and Bud of Bryophyllum
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Bud of Hydra and Bud of Bryophyllum
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Asexual Reproduction, Bud of Bryophyllum, Bud of Hydra, Vegetative Propagation

What is the Bud of Hydra

The bud of Hydra is an outgrowth with cells that divide rapidly at a specific site known as the budding zone. It develops into a small individual while being attached to the parent organism. When the new individual becomes large enough, it detaches itself from the parent body to exist as an independent individual. However, Hydra produces fewer buds per time.

Figure 1: Hydra oligactis Budding Attached to a Plant

Furthermore, budding is a form of asexual reproduction of Hydra. However, Hydra is a hermaphrodite that also undergoes sexual reproduction by producing gametes. Moreover, they undergo an alteration of body forms between polyp and medusa during their sexual reproduction.

What is the Bud of Bryophyllum

The bud of Bryophyllum is an outgrowth of the leaves. Generally, a leaf of a Bryophyllum produces a number of adventitious buds at the margin. These buds convert into very small plants later. They may develop roots as well. However, they remain dormant without showing continuous growth until they come into contact with the soil. Moreover, the leaves with buds tend to fall due to the increased weight due to these buds, allowing the buds to grow further.

Figure 2: Bryophyllum daigremontianum Buds

Moreover, Bryophyllum is a plant genus of the Crassulaceae family. They become a significant group of plants due to these small plantlets or buds produced on the fringes of the leaves. These plantlets occur due to the mitosis of meristematic-type tissue in notches in the leaves.

Similarities Between Bud of Hydra and Bud of Bryophyllum

• Bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophyllum are two structures produced by living organisms.
• They involve in asexual reproduction. They are forms of vegetative propagation.
• Also, both are unique, specialized, and complex structures capable of giving rise to a new individual that is genetically similar to the parent organism.

Difference Between Bud of Hydra and Bud of Bryophyllum

Definition

The bud of Hydra refers to an outgrowth of Hydra that occurs due to repeated cell division at one specific site while the bud of Byrophyllum refers to a spherical structure of the leaf clearly defined from the surrounding tissue. Thus, this is the main difference between bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophyllum.

Growth

The bud of Hydra grows at the budding zone while the bud of Bryophyllum grows on the leaf.

Number

Another difference between bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophyllum is that Hydra produces fewer buds while Bryophyllum produces comparatively a large number of buds.

Activity

Moreover, the bud of Hydra is always active while the bud of Bryophyllum remains dormant.

The Fate of the Bud

Furthermore, the bud of Hydra increases in diameter and length and then detaches from the parent organism while the leaf with the bud of Bryophyllum falls and the bud becomes active when it comes into contact with the soil. Hence, this is also a difference between bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophyllum.

Conclusion

The bud of Hydra is a small outgrowth, which occurs in the budding zone. It is always active and detaches later from the parent organism and give rise to a new individual. On the other hand, the bud of Bryophyllum refers to the numerous outgrowths on the leaf. They remain dormant until they make contact with the soil by making the leaf fall. Each bud on the leaf can give rise to a new individual. Both buds of Hydra and Bryophyllum are forms of vegetative propagation. However, the main difference between bud of Hydra and bud of Bryophyllum is their number and fate.

References:

1. “Hydra Biology – Classification, Characteristics and Reproduction.” MicroscopeMaster, Available Here.
2. Gadani, Maulik. “Bryophyllum Pinnatum.” Plant Details – Information about Bryophyllum Pinnatum Plant, Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, INDIA, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hydra oligactis” By Lifetrance at en.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Bryophyllum daigremontianum nahaufnahme2” By Photographer: CrazyD, 26 Octobre 2005 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia