AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ecologically, the ferns are most commonly plants of shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones.

Detailed explanation-2: -They are commonly found in wet climates, with about 70 percent of species living in tropical regions, and most of the rest in temperate zones-although a hardy few actually live in the desert or the Arctic. Ferns come in a wide variety of shapes, textures, colors, and sizes.

Detailed explanation-3: -The sperm need to swim through water in order to get to the eggs. The eggs are housed or maintained in the gametophyte, and that dependence on water is why ferns are so often linked to wet habitats.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most ferns like an evenly moist soil with regular waterings. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings stresses these plants. Bushy ferns can be difficult to water. Try using a watering can with a long spout to direct the water to the center of the plant.

Detailed explanation-5: -Like the bryophytes, ferns and fern allies are still restricted to moist habitats. Their flagellated sperm need a thin film of water to swim between the antheridium and the archegonium. And when the baby sporophyte grows up from the gametophyte, it is exposed to desiccation (drying up).