Question

Explain heterospory along with an example.

Answer 1

Heterospory:

1. Heterospory is a situation in which a plant bears two different types of spores.
2. The smaller spore is the microspore which forms the male gametophyte.
3. The larger spore is the megaspore which forms the female gametophyte.

Example of heterospory:

1. Heterospory is observed in pteridophytes such as Selaginella and Salvinia.
2. In Selaginella, microspores are formed in microsporangia and megaspores are formed in megasporangia.
3. Heterospory is important for seed habit.