Question

Why is the gametophytic phase the dominant phase in the life cycle of funaria?

Answer 1

Gametophytic phase in Funaria:

1. Funaria has a haplo-diplontic form of life cycle.
2. A free-living haploid gametophyte alternates with a semiparastitic diploid sporogonium during the life cycle (Sporophyte).
3. This sort of generational alternation is referred to as heteromorphic or heterologous.
4. The major plant body in Funaria is the free-living gametophyte (n), which comes in two varieties: protonema (juvenile gametophyte) and leafy gametophore (adult gametophyte) (adult gametophyte).
5. Because the vegetative body of Funaria is represented by these leafy gametophores, the leafy gametophyte is the dominant phase.
6. A prostrate filamentous alga-like protonema and an upright gametophore are the two separate growth stages.