What is heterospory? Briefly comment on its significance. Give two examples.

Solution

Heterospory is a phenomenon in which two kinds of spores are produced by the same plant. The spores differ in size. The smaller one is called microspore and the larger one is known as megaspore. The microspore germinates to form the male gametophyte and the megaspore germinates to form the female gametophyte.
Heterospory is thus considered an important step in evolution as it is a precursor to the seed habit. Moreover, the spores or gametes are protected and well-nourished within the separate sporangium and thus protects them from harsh conditions like desiccation etc.

Some More Questions From Plant Kingdom Chapter

When and where does reduction division take place in the life cycle of a liverwort, a moss, a fern, a gymnosperm and an angiosperm?

Name three groups of plants that bear archegonia. Briefly describe the life cycle of any one of them.

Mention the ploidy of the following: protonemal cell of a moss; primary endosperm nucleus in dicot, leaf cell of a moss; prothallus cell of a ferm; gemma cell in Marchantia; meristem cell of monocot, ovum of a liverwort, and zygote of a fern.

Explain briefly the following terms with suitable examples:
(i) protonema
(ii) antheridium
(iii) archegonium
(iv) diplontic
(v) sporophyll
(vi) isogamy

For Daily Free Study Material Join wiredfaculty

Plant Kingdom

What is heterospory? Briefly comment on its significance. Give two examples.

Some More Questions From Plant Kingdom Chapter

When and where does reduction division take place in the life cycle of a liverwort, a moss, a fern, a gymnosperm and an angiosperm?

Name three groups of plants that bear archegonia. Briefly describe the life cycle of any one of them.

Mention the ploidy of the following: protonemal cell of a moss; primary endosperm nucleus in dicot, leaf cell of a moss; prothallus cell of a ferm; gemma cell in Marchantia; meristem cell of monocot, ovum of a liverwort, and zygote of a fern.

Write a note on economic importance of algae and gymnosperms.

Both gymnosperms and angiosperms bear seeds, then why are they classified separately?