DENDROLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Gametes develop in the multicellular haploid gametophyte (from the Greek phyton, “plant”). Fertilization gives rise to a multicellular diploid sporophyte, which produces haploid spores via meiosis. This type of life cycle is called a haplodiplontic life cycle (Figure 20.1).

Detailed explanation-2: -The haploid (n) multicellular life stage is called the gametophyte as it produces gametes (egg and sperm cells) that fuse during fertilization to form a diploid (2n) zygote. This zygote develops into a mature diploid sporophyte by mitosis, carrying both genetic information from the fused gametes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Haploid (1n) spores germinate and undergo mitosis to produce a multicellular gametophyte (1n). Specialized cells of the gametophyte undergo mitosis to produce sperm and egg cells (1n), which combine in fertilization to make a zygote (2n).

Detailed explanation-4: -Plants have two distinct stages in their lifecycle: the gametophyte stage and the sporophyte stage. The haploid gametophyte produces the male and female gametes by mitosis in distinct multicellular structures. Fusion of the male and females gametes forms the diploid zygote, which develops into the sporophyte.