Gametophyte and sporophyte morphology in mosses, including reproductive structures,

General Botany

Gametophyte Ploidy:

Haploid (n)

Sporophyte Ploidy:

Diploid (2n)

Gametophyte Main Body:

Leafy shoot with rhizoids

Sporophyte Main Body:

Seta (stalk) + Capsule (sporangium)

Gametophyte Reproductive Organs:

Antheridia and Archegonia

Sporophyte Reproductive Organs:

Capsule (sporangium) produces spores

Gametophyte Function:

Produces gametes

Sporophyte Function:

Produces spores via meiosis

Gametophyte Dependency:

Independent (photosynthetic)

Sporophyte Dependency:

Dependent on gametophyte for nutrients

Gametophyte Spores:

Not produced

Sporophyte Spores:

Produced by meiosis, released from capsule

Life Cycle Summary:

1. Gametophyte produces sperm and eggs

2. Fertilization occurs in the archegonium

3. The sporophyte develops from the fertilized egg

4. The sporophyte produces haploid spores by meiosis

5. Spores are released, and if they land in a suitable environment, they will grow into new gametophytes

Gametophyte is the _____, photosynthetic generation in mosses

dominant

The sporophyte grows out of the gametophyte and is ______ on it for nutrients

dependent

Moss reproduction requires _____ for sperm movement fron antheridia to archegonia

water