The correct sequence of events in the life cycle of bryophytes is
A. Fusion of antherozoid with egg

Question

The correct sequence of events in the life cycle of bryophytes is 
A. Fusion of antherozoid with egg. 
B. Attachment of gametophyte to substratum. 
C. Reduction division to produce haploid spores. 
D. Formation of sporophyte. 
E. Release of antherozoids into water. 
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

(a) : The main plant body of the bryophyte is haploid. It produces gametes, hence is called a gametophyte. The gametophyte gets attached to the substratum by unicellular or multicellular rhizoids. The sex organs in bryophytes are multicellular. The male sex organ is called antheridium. They produce biflagellate antherozoids. The female sex organ called archegonium is flask-shaped and produces a single egg. The antherozoids are released into water where they come in contact with archegonium. An antherozoid fuses with the egg to produce the zygote. Zygotes do not undergo reduction division immediately. They produce a multicellular body called a sporophyte. The sporophyte is not free-living but attached to the photosynthetic gametophyte and derives nourishment from it. Some cells of the sporophyte undergo reduction division (meiosis) to produce haploid spores. These spores germinate to produce gametophyte.