[Campbell Biology P.679] Which of the following statements correctly describes a stage or ev... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes a stage or event in the fern life cycle as depicted in Figure 29.17?

  • A: Meiosis occurs in the mature sporophyte to produce diploid spores.
  • B: The gametophyte generation is diploid and dependent on the sporophyte for nutrition.
  • C: Fertilization directly results in the formation of a haploid gametophyte.
  • D: Spore are haploid and develop into a photosynthetic gametophyte.

Explanation

The fern life cycle involves alternation of generations. Meiosis in the diploid sporophyte produces haploid spores n . These spores germinate and grow into the independent, photosynthetic haploid gametophyte n . The gametophyte produces haploid sperm and eggs. Fertilization of the egg by sperm forms a diploid zygote 2n , which then develops into the new diploid sporophyte 2n .