Question

The spores of a fern plant develop into

• A. Rhizoids
• B. Antherida
• C. Archeonia
• D. Prothallus

Answer 1

The correct option is D Prothallus

A prothallium, or prothallus is usually the gametophyte stage in the life of a fern or other pteridophyte. Occasionally, the term is also used to describe the young gametophyte of a liverwort or peat moss as well. An archegonium is a multicellular structure or organ of the gametophyte phase of certain plants, producing and containing the ovum or female gamete. The corresponding male organ is called as the antheridium. An antheridium or antheridia is a haploid structure or organ producing and containing male gametes (called as antherozoids or sperm). It is present in the gametophyte phase of cryptogams like bryophytes and ferns, and also in the primitive vascular psilotophyta. Rhizoid is a filamentous outgrowth or root hair on the underside of the thallus in some lower plants, especially mosses and liverworts, serving both to anchor the plant and (in terrestrial forms) to conduct water.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D.