Question

Explain the following terms
(a) Gametophyte (b) Sporophyte (c) Alternation of Generations

Answer 1

(i) Gametophyte is the phase when haploid (n) gametes, sperm and eggs are developed. The eggs are fertilized by sperm and grow into sporophytes. It is the gamete-producing phase of plants.

(ii) Sporophyte is the phase when plants produce diploid (2n) spores, which in turn develop into gametophytes. It is the spore-producing phase of plants.

(iii) Alteration of generation is the type of life cycle that occurs in plants and some protists that have distinct sexual haploid and asexual diploid stages. It is the alteration of sexual phase and asexual phase in the life cycle of organism.