Question

Pteridophytes exhibit ___________ life cycle.

• A. haplontic life cycle with dominant sporophytic phase
• B. diplontic life cycle with dominant gametophyte phase
• C. haplo-diplontic life cycle with dominant gametophytic phase
• D. haplo-diplontic life cycle with dominant sporophytic phase

Answer 1

The correct option is D haplo-diplontic life cycle with dominant sporophytic phase

Pteridophytes exhibit haplo-diplontic life cycle with a dominant sporophytic phase.
The sporophyte in pteridophytes is differentiated into root, stem and leaves.
Spores are produced on leaves and they germinate to form small, inconspicuous gametophytes called prothallus.
As the life cycle distinctly shows both haploid (gametophyte) and diploid (sporophyte) phases, it is called haplo-diplontic life cycle.

In the haplontic life cycle, the haploid stage is multicellular, diploid stage is a single cell, and meiosis is zygotic.
In the diplontic life cycle, the diploid stage is multicellular, haploid gametes are formed and meiosis is gametic.