AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Three main groups are distinguished within the Pterophyta: Whisk Ferns, genus Psilotum. Horsetails, to which Equisetum belongs. True ferns, for example Dryopteris and Polypodium.

Detailed explanation-2: -Because pteridophytes produce neither flowers nor seeds, they are sometimes referred to as “cryptogams", meaning that their means of reproduction is hidden. Ferns, horsetails (often treated as ferns), and lycophytes (clubmosses, spikemosses, and quillworts) are all pteridophytes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Dryopteris /draɪˈɒptərɪs/, commonly called the wood ferns, male ferns (referring in particular to Dryopteris filix-mas), or buckler ferns, is a fern genus in the family Dryopteridaceae, subfamily Dryopteridoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I).

Detailed explanation-4: -Dryopteris is a very large genus of ferns and the most widespread genus in the world. Wood ferns, also called shield ferns, are typically found in cool, moist woodland areas, although some can tolerate drier conditions. They may grow in soil that is alkaline or acidic, and thrive in full shade or in some sun.

Detailed explanation-5: -Hence, the correct answer is option B, protonema of moss and prothallus of Dryopteris are gametophytic.