Question

In which one of the following male and female gametophytes do not have a free-living independent existence?

• A. Polytrichum
• B. Funaria
• C. Pteris
• D. Cedrus

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Cedrus

The correct option is D.

Explanation for correct option:

1. In gymnosperm like Cedrus, the male and the female gametophyte do not have an independent free-living existence.
2. They remain inside the sporangia on the sporophytes which means that the female gametophyte within megasporangium and male gametophyte within microsporangium.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Option A:

1. In bryophytes like Polytrichum, the main plant body is a gametophyte which is independent whereas the sporophyte is partially or fully dependent on gametophytic generation.

Option B:

1. In bryophytes Funaria, the main plant body is a gametophyte that is independent and the sporophyte remains partially or fully dependent on the gametophytic generation.

Option C:

1. Gametophytes and sporophytes are free-living in pteridophytes only.
2. In pteridophytes (Pteris) gametophyte is usually not dependent and the sporophyte is the dominant phase in the life cycle.

Final answer: Male and female gametophytes do not have a free-living independent existence in Cedrus.