Question

What is apogamy in Pteridophytes?

Answer 1

Pteridophytes

1. Pteridophytes are a type of vascular plant that reproduces by means of spores.
2. They are also known as cryptogams since they do not produce flowers or seeds.
3. They have a well-developed vascular system with xylem (for water conduction) and phloem (for food conduction).

Apogamy in pteridophytes

1. Apogamy in pteridophytes refers to the formation of sporophytes from the gametophyte without the use of syngamy or sexual fusion.
2. Apogamy is more likely to occur in plants whose prothallus has deteriorated.
3. Apogamy occurs when plants are unable to carry out normal fertilization (sexual reproduction), either owing to abnormal physiological factors or environmental variables.
4. In ferns, such as Osmunda, and Pteris, natural apogamy is common.
5. In the year 1878, Heinrich Anton de Bary coined the name apogamy to describe this sort of asexual reproduction in ferns.
6. It is the formation of an embryo from synergids or antipodal cells of the embryosac.