Question

A well-developed archegonium with a neck consisting of 4-6 rows of neck canal cells, characterizes

• A. pteridophytes and gymnosperms
• B. gymnosperms and flowering plants
• C. bryophytes and pteridophytes
• D. gymnosperms only

Answer 1

The correct option is C

bryophytes and pteridophytes

The correct option is C.

Explanation of correct option:

1. Archegonium is a flask-shaped female reproductive organ that produces the egg.
2. It comprises a narrow neck consisting of 4-6 rows of neck canal cells. The neck canal cells create a passage for the entry of sperms.
3. Bryophytes (e.g., mosses) are non-vascular plants, whereas, pteridophytes (e.g., ferns) are vascular plants.
4. A well-developed archegonium consisting of neck canal cells is found in bryophytes and pteridophytes.

Explanation of incorrect option:

Option A:

1. Gymnosperms refer to plants in which ovules are not enclosed inside the ovary wall. Example: Pinus.
2. Archegonium present in gymnosperms lacks neck canal cells. In contrast, neck canal cells are present in the archegonium of pteridophytes.

Option B:

1. Flowering plants or angiosperms in which the seed is enclosed within the ovary. Example: mango, apple.
2. Archegonium is absent in angiosperms, whereas, gymnosperms possess archegonium that lacks neck canal cells.

Option D:

The neck canal cells are absent in the archegonium of gymnosperms.

Final answer: A well-developed archegonium with a neck consisting of 4-6 rows of neck canal cells, characterizes bryophytes and pteridophytes.