SSC MTS EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -Prothallus is representative of the gametophyte stage in pteridophytes . The diploid sporophyte represents a dominant, independent, photosynthetic and vascular plant body. Haploid gametophyte is prothallus, which is multicellular, saprophytic/autotrophic, independent, short-lived, called prothallus.

Detailed explanation-2: -The prothallus is the fern gametophyte. It is a green, photosynthetic structure that is one cell thick, usually heart or kidney shaped, 3–10 mm long and 2–8 mm broad.

Detailed explanation-3: -Fern prothalli are small, green, often heart-shaped, and bear the archegonia and antheridia where the egg and sperm are produced, respectively. This is the gametophyte generation of ferns and is completely independent of the sporophyte generation.