Question

What generation in the life cycle of a fern lacks vascular tissue?

Answer 1

Alternation of generations :

1. It is a reproductive cycle of certain vascular plants, fungi, and protists.
2. The life cycle of organisms with "alternation of generations" is characterized by each phase consisting of one of two separate, free-living organisms: a gametophyte ( thallus (tissue) or plant), which is genetically haploid, and a sporophyte (thallus or plant), which is genetically diploid.
3. Ferns show alternation of generation:

Sporophytic generation:

1. Sporophytes are in the free-living, multicellular, dominant phase.
2. They are diploid in nature.
3. It has a well-differentiated plant body that undergoes meiosis and produces haploid spores that germinate to form gametophytes.
4. The sporophyte could be homosporous or heterosporous.
5. It has vascular tissues xylem and phloem.

Gametophytic generation:

1. The gametophyte is a haploid, free-living, photosynthetic, multicellular thalloid structure referred as a prothallus.
2. Gametophytes require cool, shady and damp places in order to grow and need water for fertilization.
3. It lacks vascular tissues xylem and phloem.