Question

The heterosporous pteridophytes are

• A. Lycopodium Pteris
• B. Selaginella and Psilotum
• C. Selaginella and Salvinia
• D. Dryopteris and Adiantum

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Selaginella and Salvinia

The correct option is C.

Explanation for the correct option:

1. The vascular free-sporing plants known as pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) have alternating, free-living gametophyte and sporophyte stages that, when they reach maturity, are independent of one another.
2. The roots, stems, and leaves in the sporophyte's body are clearly distinct.
3. Megaspores, which are female, and microspores, which are male, are produced by heterosporous plants.
4. This circumstance is seen as a stage in the evolution of terrestrial plants.
5. For the first time, heterospory in Pteridophytes was documented.
6. As heterosporous organisms, Selaginella and Salvinia create two distinct types of spores.
7. Because it signified the beginning of the sporophyte's independence and the gametophyte's entire dependence on it, heterospory has enormous biological significance.

Final answer: The heterosporous pteridophytes are Selaginella and Salvinia.