Question

In which of the following groups would you place a plant, which produces spores, has vascular tissues and lacks flowers and seeds?

• A. Bryophytes
• B. Pteridophytes
• C. Gymnosperms
• D. Algae

Answer 1

The correct option is B Pteridophytes

Pteridophytes:
1. Members of this group are most primitive living vascular plants.
2. The main plant body is a sporophyte. It is differentiated into root, stem and leaves.
3. Plants (sporophyte) reproduce by spores formed in sporangia. Sporangia develop either on the ventral surface or in the axil of leaves.
4. Plants may be homosporous or heterosporous. The development of sporangium may be of eusporangiate (when developing from a group of initials) or leptosporangiate. (When developing from a single initial) type.
5. Spores develop into a multi-cellular gametophytic body called prothallus- a thalloid structure. It is independent and chlorophyllous. It bears male reproductive organs called antheridia and female reproductive organs called archegonia. Reproductive organs are multicellular and jacketed.
6. Water is essential to effect fertilization as male reproductive units are flagellated and motile.
7. Seed formation never takes place in living pteridophytes.
8. An embryo develops in situ after fertilization and the sporophyte remains attached to the gametophyte till the development of root.
9. Plants show clear alternation of generations. The sporophyte and gametophyte are independent of each other.