Question

Cones in Gymnosperm plants are

• A. Bisexual
• B. Unisexual
• C. Sterile
• D. All of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Unisexual

Gymnosperms are heterosporous, producing two kinds of spores microspores and megaspores produced by separate sporangia. The two types of sporangia - microsporangia and megasporangia are found on special leaf like structures, called as sporophylls. The microsporangia represent the pollen sacs and the megasporangia represent the ovules. Microsporangia occur on microsporophylls (stamens) and megasporangia occur on megasporophylls (carpels).

The sporophylls are usually aggregated to form structures called as cones or strobili. Male cones (with microsporophylls) and female cones (with megasporangia) occur separately.