Question

With the help of a schematic diagram describe the haplo-diplontic life cycle pattern of a plant group.

Answer 1

Definition:

The kind of life cycle where both gametophytes and sporophytes alternate with each other and the two phases are almost of equal duration is called haplo-diplontic life cycle.

Features:

The haplo-diplontic cycle has the following features:-

• The gametophytic phase is haploid which bears the gamete-producing structures.
• The haploid gametes are formed through the process of mitosis from the antheridium and archegonium of the gametophyte.
• Fusion of haploid gametes results in the formation of a diploid zygote.
• Zygote then forms the embryo which then produces a diploid sporophytic plant body.
• The diploid spore mother cell of the sporophyte divides through meiosis to form haploid spores.
• These haploid spores germinate to produce haploid gametophytic plant bodies.