Question

All statements are true about ferns except

• A. The gametophyte is larger than the sporophyte.
• B. The sori give rise to the gametophytes.
• C. Eggs are fertilized by sperm in the archeogonia.
• D. Ferns possess vascular tissue for the transport of water and minerals.
• E. Male gametes depend on water for fertilization.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The gametophyte is larger than the sporophyte.

Ferns are the first land plants and the first plants with a vascular system for transport of water and minerals; these plants make motile male gamete that needs water for fertilization. Archegonia are the female sex organs and serve as a site for fertilization. The zygote develops into dominant diploid sporophyte which in turn has sporangia arranged in clusters ( termed as sori). Spores are produced meiotically in these sori and the haploid spores germinate into independent but much smaller and lesser developed haploid gametophyte. Thus, the correct answer is option A.