Mosses reproduce by alternating between the sporophytic (diploid) and gametophytic (haploid) phases. The gametes (sperm and eggs) are produced in gametophytic organs; archegonium (female) and antheridium (male) located on the tips of the separate female and male gametophytes.
The haploid sperm also called antherozoids produced by the antheridium, swims in a moist medium towards the archegonium and fertilizes the haploid egg in this organ. A zygote results from this fusion and grows into a diploid sporophyte (which grows and obtains nutrient from the gametophyte).
The sporophyte undergoes meiosis to produce haploid spores, which ultimately forms protonema (buds that grow into gametophyte). The cycle continues again.
