Question
In which of the following gametophyte is not independent free-living?
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Funaria
-
Marchantia
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Pteris
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Pinus
Solution
D.
Pinus
Gametophyte is phase of life cycle in which the gametes, i.e. egg and sperm are produced. In bryophytes (Funaria and Marchantia) fertilisation is dependent on water for the transfer of sperm to the egg. The gametophyte are fetilized outside the body. Therefore, they have independent free-living gametophyte.
In this respect Pteridophyte are similar to bryophytes i.e they still have free-living gametophytes. Pinaceae (Pinus) has well developed gametophyte in which sperm cells are fertilised with egg cell within the ovule. Hence, pinus is the correct option.
