Question

One character common for Selaginella and fern is

• A. Heterospory
• B. Protostele
• C. Development of sporangium
• D. Absence of ovule

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Absence of ovule

Unlike bryophytes and pteridophytes, in gymnosperms the male and the female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence. They remain within the sporangia retained on the sporophytes. The pollen grain is released from the microsporangium. They are carried in air currents and come in contact with the opening of the ovules borne on megasporophylls. The pollen tube carrying the male gametes grows towards archegonia in the ovules and discharge their contents near the mouth of the archegonia. Following fertilisation, zygote develops in to an embryo and the ovules into seeds. These seeds are not covered.