Question

What is prothallus?

Answer 1

The gametophyte in Pteridophytes is known as prothallus. The prothallus is generally monoecious as it bears both male and female sex organs i.e. antheridia and archegonia.

Features of Prothallus

• The prothallus is the fern gametophyte.
• It is a green, photosynthetic structure that is one cell thick, usually heart or kidney-shaped, 3–10 mm long and 2–8 mm broad.
• It doesn’t have roots, stems or leaves, but it does have rhizoids that anchor it to the soil and help with absorption.
• The underneath of the prothallus is where the gametes are produced from the male and female sex organs.
• The prothallus has both male and female sex organs.