Function

• Vascular and non-vascular plants have the same function: to provide food and shelter for animals, and oxygen for the atmosphere.
  
  

Food

• Both vascular and non-vascular plants make food using energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water in a process called photosynthesis.
  
  

Structure

• Vascular and non-vascular plants have cells that contain chloroplasts, as well as protective, rigid cell walls made of a carbohydrate called cellulose. Many non-vascular plants look similar to vascular plants, with leaf and branch-like structures.
  
  

Respiration

• All plants take in carbon dioxide and other harmful substances, and oxygenate both the water and the air.
  
  

Water and Minerals

• Both types of plants require adequate water and minerals. Vascular plants are typically terrestrial, and get the resources they need from a deep root system. Non-vascular plants are mostly aquatic, and absorb water through their outer layers.