Through the course of evolution, plants have developed smaller gametophytes and larger sporophytes. Study the list of plants. Th
en, place them in order, from the one with the briefest gametophyte stage to the one with the longest gametophyte stage. green algae
ferns
mosses
seed plants
Gametophyte shows haploid, gamete-forming stage of plant's life cycle, while sporophyte shows diploid, spore-forming stage of plant's life cycle. In green algae, gametophytes and sporophytes are isomorphic (indistinguishable). In bryophytes, such as mosses, gametophyte shows dominant stage as it is most visible stage in their life-cycle. In vascular plants, such as ferns and seed plants, sporophytes show dominant stage.
Thus, 'seed plants show briefest gametophyte stage' and 'mosses show longest gametophyte stage.'
