Question

Explain the two special mode of reproduction observed in pteridophyte.

Answer 1

Unlike the other vascular plants where the reproduction is from the seed, pteridophytes reproduce from spores. They reproduce by releasing spores instead of seeds. They have an intermediate plant stage called gametophyte. Since, they produce neither flowers nor seeds, they are called as cryptogams. They reproduce through the alternation of generations, alternating between sexual form or gametophyte and asexual form or sporophyte. The sporophytic generation is dominant. Sporophyte pteridophyte shows two methods of asexual reproduction. One is by vegetative propagation. In this, the new plant develops from stem or rhizome. The other method of asexual reproduction is by spores. Spores are formed by the sporangia in the spore mother cell. After the sporangia dries out, spores are dispersed into the wind and fall on groud. The spores then germinate when proper conditions of heat and moisture are present.