Question

What is a sporophyte and gametophyte

Answer 1

Gametophyte: It is a multi cellular structure or generation in life cycle of a plant which is capable of forming gametes directly from its cells. The cells of gametophyte are always haploid or have single genomes or one set of chromosomes.

Sporophyte: It is a multicellular structure or generation in the life cycle of a plant which possess diploid cells or cells which two genomes or two sets of chromosomes. It produces haploid spores or meiospores through the process of meiosis in its diploid cells.

Gametophyte vs Sporophyte

Gametophyte	Sporophyte
It is the haploid (n) phase in the life cycle	It is the diploid (2n) phase in the life cycle.
It forms gametes.	It forms spores.
The gametes are formed either directly or through mitosis.	The spores are formed after meiosis.
Gametes take part in fertilization or fusion forming diploid (2n) zygote.	The diploid spore mother cell undergo meiosis to form haploid (n) Meiospores.
Growth of zygote produces the sporophyte.	Growth of meiospore produces the gametophyte.
The cells possess a single genome or one set of chromosomes.	The cells possess two genomes or two sets of chromosomes.