A) Sporophytes are diploid, whereas gametophytes are haploid. | B) Sporophytes are vascular, whereas gametophytes are nonvascular. |
C) Sporophytes are larger than gametophytes. | D) All of the above |
Explanation:
Sexual reproduction results in gametes that combine two cells from different individuals. Meiosis also produces gametes. Haploids contain one set of chromosomes in each of their cells. Diploids cells contain two chromosome sets. For plants, haploid and diploid cells divide via mitosis. The plants’ haploid phase is called the gametophyte, and the diploid phase is called the sporophyte.
Sporophytes are diploid plants that use meiosis to produce spores. These spores are haploid cells that grow into haploid gametophytes. Megaspores grow into female gametophytes, and microspores grow into male gametophytes.
Gametophytes are haploid plants that use mitosis to make haploid gametes. These gametes are female in the form of an ovum (egg) or male in the form of sperm.