Question

The sporophyte of an unknown plant species grows as a separate plant than the gametophyte. The plant produces both female and flagellated male gametes from the same gametophyte, and it releases spores into the environment. Which of the following is the best conclusion about the life cycle of this plant? (2 points)
The plant is a gymnosperm, and the gametophyte is its dominant phase.
The plant is an angiosperm, and the gametophyte is its dominant phase.
The plant is a moss, and the sporophyte is its dominant phase.
The plant is a fern, and sporophyte is its dominant phase.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer would be "The plant is a fern, and sporophyte is its dominant phase".

Ferns refer to the lower plants which do not bear flowers, have leafy or feathery fronds, and they reproduce by spores.

They show alternation of generation in which sporophyte is the dominant stage.

The mature diploid sporophyte releases haploid spores with the help of meiotic divisions.

The haploid spore divides by mitotic division and matures into a haploid gametophyte. The single gametophyte bears antheridium and archegonium which release flagellated male gametes and egg (female gamete) respectively with the help of mitotic division.

The gametes fertilize to produce a diploid zygote.

The zygote divides mitotically and matures into the diploid sporophyte.