Question

Name the gametophyte structure and the sporophyte structure of both bryophytes and ferns. Also know whether they are haploid or diploid, and which is the more easily recognized (dominant).

Be able to tell which gametangia the reproductive structures of moss and ferns are (archegonium or antheridium).

Know the terms: rhizoid, rhizome, gemmae cups, prothallus, sorus, sporangia, alternation of generations (explain what it is)

Answer 1

Bryophytes

Gametophyte: Protonema (Haploid)

Sporophyte: Sporangium (Diploid)

Gametophyte is the dominant generation

Archegonium: Female; Antheridium: Male

Ferns

Gametophyte: Prothallus (Haploid)

Sporophyte: (Diploid)

Sporophyte is the dominant generation

rhizoids are filamentous root-like structures.

Fern stems are often called rhizomes.

Gemmae are tiny, cup-shaped structures on the Gametophytes.

The gametophyte is the sexual or haploid stage of the pteridophyte life-cycle and contains a single set of chromosomes. It develops from the spore produced on the sporophyte. This spore germinates and develops into a body called the prothallus.

The sporangia aggregated in various ways into a sorus attached to a common receptacle which supplies nutrients from the veins.

The sporangia are the bodies in which the spores are produced. They are generally small and superficial but may be large and immersed in the sporophyll.

The purpose of the gametophyte is to produce the male and female sex cells (gametes), the female of which, when fertilized, develops into a new sporophyte to continue the cycle. This regular process is known as the alternation of generations and involves an alternate doubling and halving of chromosome numbers at each phase.