Question

What distinguishes gymnosperms from bryophytes and pteridophytes, with respect to reproduction.

• A. The male and female gametophytes are free living in gymnosperms
• B. The male and female gametophytes are not free living in gymnosperms
• C. The male and female gametophytes remain within the sporangia retained on sporophytes
• D. Both bryophytes and pteridophytes have free living sporophytes while gymnosperms have a free living gameophyte

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B The male and female gametophytes are not free living in gymnosperms
C The male and female gametophytes remain within the sporangia retained on sporophytes

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. Pteridophytes have free living, photosynthetic thalloid gametophyte called prothallus. In bryophytes, the main plant body of the bryophyte is haploid. It produces gametes, hence is called a gametophyte. Zygotes in bryophytes produce a multicellular sporophyte, that is not free-living but attached to the photosynthetic gametophyte and derives nourishment from it.