EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The protonema then develops into a leafy gametophore, the adult form of Funaria, which is its more common form. The protonema stage takes part in the haploid phase of the moss. So, The correct option is C ‘Funaria’.

Detailed explanation-2: -Protonema is a thread-like chain of cells that forms the earliest stage (the haploid phase) of a bryophyte, like Funaria life cycle. When a moss first grows from the spore, it grows as a protonema, which develops into a leafy gametophore. Hence, option B is correct.

Detailed explanation-3: -A protonema (plural: protonemata) is a thread-like chain of cells that forms the earliest stage of development of the gametophyte (the haploid phase) in the life cycle of mosses.

Detailed explanation-4: -In Funaria, the main plant body is a free-living gametophyte (n), which exists in 2 forms, i.e., protonema (juvenile gametophyte) and leafy gametophore (adult gametophyte). The leafy gametophyte bears both male and female sex organs.

Detailed explanation-5: -A bryophyte spore germinates and produces an often algal-like mat, called a protonema (plural protonemata) and the leafy or thalloid stage of the gametophyte develops from the protonemal stage.