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Ans. The life cycle of pteridophytes alternates between two phases: a diploid sporophyte that produces spores and a haploid gametophyte that produces gametes, enabling reproduction and the continuation of the cycle.
Q. What is the correct sequence of the life cycle of pteridophytes?
Ans. In pteridophytes, meiosis occurs within sporangia on the sporophyte's leaves, producing spores. These spores germinate and grow into heart-shaped gametophytes, where archegonia and antheridia develop. The antheridia produce sperm that fertilizes the egg in the archegonia, forming a zygote, which then grows into a new sporophyte.
Q. What are the main stages in the life cycle of pteridophytes?
Ans. The cycle consists of the sporophyte stage, a dominant diploid phase that generates spores, and the gametophyte stage, a smaller, haploid phase that produces gametes.
Q. Where are spores produced in pteridophytes?
Ans. Spores in pteridophytes are produced in sporangia, specialized structures typically located on the undersides of fern leaves, or fronds. These sporangia are grouped into clusters called sori, visible as small dots or patches on the fronds.
Q. What is the life cycle of bryophytes and pteridophytes?
Ans. In bryophytes, the dominant phase is the gametophyte, which produces the sporophyte dependent on it for nutrition. In contrast, pteridophytes have a dominant sporophyte stage, which is independent and produces spores that grow into free-living gametophytes.
Life Cycle of Pteridophytes, Definition Life Cycle and Importance
Life Cycle of Pteridophytes, This article aims to provide an overview of pteridophytes, including its definition, life cycle of pteridophytes, importance and related MCQs.
Krati Saraswat4 Jun, 2025
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The life cycle of pteridophytes refers to the stages these plants go through, from spore formation to the development of mature plants. This cycle features a clear alternation of generations, involving two main phases: the sporophyte generation and the gametophyte generation. This alternation allows for genetic diversity and helps pteridophytes adapt to different environments. Understanding the life cycle of pteridophytes is important for students preparing for the NEET exam , as it is a key topic in the biology syllabus .
Life Cycle of Pteridophytes
The life cycle of pteridophytes consists of two main stages: the sporophyte generation and the gametophyte generation. The sporophyte is the diploid (2n) phase, meaning it has two sets of chromosomes, while the gametophyte is the haploid (n) phase, meaning it has only one set of chromosomes. These two generations follow a cyclical pattern, which is why it is called the "alternation of generations ."
Definition of Pteridophytes
Pteridophytes are free-living, photosynthetic plants that are mainly found in cool, damp, and shady environments, although some can grow in sandy soils. They play an essential role in ecosystems by binding soil, preventing erosion, and are even used in traditional medicine.
Life Cycle of Pteridophytes
Pteridophytes, which include horsetails and ferns, are important non-flowering vascular plants. These plants are known for their medicinal uses, role as soil binders, and ornamental value. Evolutionarily, they were the first terrestrial plants to develop vascular tissues like xylem and phloem, enabling them to transport water and nutrients more efficiently. Pteridophytes are typically found in cool, damp, shady environments, although some can grow in sandy soils. The life cycle of pteridophytes exhibits alternation of generations, also known as metagenesis. This means that two distinct generations, the sporophyte and gametophyte, alternate during their life cycle. Both generations are independent and free-living.
Sporophyte Generation
The sporophyte generation is the dominant phase in the life cycle of pteridophytes. It is the diploid (2n) plant that produces spores. Key characteristics of the sporophyte generation are:
Dominant Phase: The sporophyte is the largest and longest-lived phase of the pteridophyte. It is the visible, leafy fern plant.
Spores Production: The sporophyte produces spores through meiosis, which occurs within specialized structures called sporangia. These sporangia are often found on the undersides of leaves or specialized reproductive structures such as strobili (cones).
Homosporous and Heterosporous: Most pteridophytes are homosporous, meaning they produce one type of spore that can give rise to a single kind of gametophyte. However, some pteridophytes, such as Selaginella, are heterosporous, producing two different types of spores—microspores (male) and megaspore (female).
Spores Dispersal: Once the spores are formed, they are dispersed by wind to various locations, where they can germinate and grow into new gametophytes.
Gametophyte Generation
The gametophyte represents the haploid (n) stage in the life cycle of pteridophytes. This generation is much smaller and less visible compared to the sporophyte. The main features of the gametophyte generation include:
Prothallus: The gametophyte is a small, photosynthetic structure known as the prothallus, which typically grows in cool, damp, and shady areas. The prothallus is multicellular and independent of the sporophyte.
Sex Organs : The gametophyte bears both male and female sex organs. The antheridia are the male organs that produce sperm, while the archegonia are the female organs that produce eggs.
Fertilization : For fertilization to occur, water is required for the movement of sperm. The sperm released from the antheridia moves through water to reach and fertilize the egg in the archegonium, leading to the formation of a diploid zygote.
Development into Sporophyte : The fertilized egg (zygote) develops into a new sporophyte. This development happens within the gametophyte, and the young sporophyte eventually becomes independent and begins its life cycle as the dominant, mature sporophyte generation.
Importance of the Life Cycle of Pteridophytes
The life cycle of pteridophytes is significant for several reasons:
Evolutionary Significance: Pteridophytes were among the first plants to evolve vascular tissues, such as xylem and phloem, which allowed them to transport water and nutrients efficiently. This made them more adapted to terrestrial life, allowing them to grow in a variety of environments.
Reproduction via Spores : Unlike seed plants, which reproduce via seeds, pteridophytes reproduce through spores. This is an important feature that distinguishes them from seed-bearing plants like angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Transition to Seed Habit: The development of heterospory in some pteridophytes (e.g., Selaginella) is considered a precursor to the seed habit found in seed plants. The retention of the female gametophyte within the sporophyte allows for more efficient fertilization and protection of the developing embryo, a significant evolutionary step.
MCQs of the Life Cycle of Pteridophytes
Q1. Which of the following are heterosporous pteridophytes?
Selaginella
Salvinia
Salvia
Both (1) and (2)
Q2. Prothallus of fern produces;
gametes
spores
Both (1) and (2)
None of these
Q3. In ferns, fertilization does not involve;
Archegonia
Water
Pollen tube
Flagellated antherozoids
Answers to Life Cycle of Pteridophytes
Ans1 . Both (1) and (2), Ans2. Gametes, Ans3 . Pollen tube Physics Wallah (PW) provides NEET Online Coaching in India, aiming to make high-quality education accessible to all aspiring medical students. PW is committed to empowering students across the country to succeed in the NEET exam and fulfill their aspirations of a medical career.
