HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -The sexual phase, called the gametophyte generation, produces gametes, or sex cells, and the asexual phase, or sporophyte generation, produces spores asexually. In terms of chromosomes, the gametophyte is haploid (has a single set of chromosomes), and the sporophyte is diploid (has a double set).

Detailed explanation-2: -Plants alternate between the diploid sporophyte and haploid gametophyte, and between asexual and sexual reproduction. Therefore, the life cycle of plants is known as alternation of generations.

Detailed explanation-3: -Diploid sporophyte cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores. Each spore goes through mitotic divisions to yield a multicellular, haploid gametophyte. Mitotic divisions within the gametophyte are required to produce the gametes. The diploid sporophyte results from the fusion of two gametes.

Detailed explanation-4: -The gametophyte stage produces gametes (by mitosis) which fuse to form a zygote. The zygote divides by mitosis to form the large multicellular sporophyte stage. Mitosis and meiosis in Ferns (continued). The sporophyte produces haploid spores by meiosis.

Detailed explanation-5: -The sporophyte produces spores by meiosis. The spores grow into gametophytes. The gametophytes produce gametes (eggs and sperm). Fusion of gametes (fertilization) produces a zygote.