What is alternation of generation?
Alternation of generations is a reproductive cycle of certain vascular plants, fungi, and protists. 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.
A haploid plant of the gametophyte generation produces gametes by mitosis. Two gametes (originating from different organisms of the same species or from the same organism) combine to produce a zygote, which develops into a diploid plant of the sporophyte generation. This sporophyte produces spores bymeiosis, which germinate and develop into a gametophyte of the next generation. This cycle, from gametophyte to gametophyte, is the way in which plants and many algae undergo sexual reproduction.
Alternation of generations is a reproductive cycle of certain vascular plants, fungi, and protists. 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.
A haploid plant of the gametophyte generation produces gametes by mitosis. Two gametes (originating from different organisms of the same species or from the same organism) combine to produce a zygote, which develops into a diploid plant of the sporophyte generation. This sporophyte produces spores bymeiosis, which germinate and develop into a gametophyte of the next generation. This cycle, from gametophyte to gametophyte, is the way in which plants and many algae undergo sexual reproduction.
