Question

Statement 1: The main plant body of bryophytes is sporophytic
Statement 2: The main plant body of pteridophytes is gametophytic
a. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct
b. Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect
c. Statement 1 is incorrect but statement 2 is correct
d. Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

Answer 1

Both bryophytes and pteridophytes show alternation of generations. Both of them have both gametophytic and sporophytic bodies at some stage of their life cycle. Bryophytes are the first land plant. It is believed that bryophytes originated from aquatic plants and they came on land through water and that is why they are known as amphibians of the plant kingdom.

Complete answer:

Bryophytes - The Main plant body of bryophytes is haploid and is an independent gametophyte. This gametophyte gives rise to diploid sporophyte. Gametophyte is haploid in nature and produces male and female gametes which give rise to diploid sporophyte. This sporophyte produces spores which germinate and give rise to gametophyte .Thus sporophytes show alternation of generations. Gametophyte is an independent and dominant phase and sporophyte remains attached to the gametophyte.

Pteridophytes - Pteridophytes are vascular cryptogams. They are vascular plants which means that xylem and phloem are present. In Pteridophytes the main plant body is sporophyte having true roots, stems and leaves. The primary root remains alive for a short period and is replaced by adventitious roots. The plant is sporophyte. Sporophyte is diploid and is produced by male and female gametes produced by gametophyte which is haploid phase. Sporophyte is the dominant phase.

Hence, the correct answer is option (b).

Note: Most of the pteridophytes are homosporous i.e only one type of spores are formed during reproduction. Formation of spores takes place in sporangia that are formed at the abaxial surface of leaves. Sporangia are formed on the leaves known as sporophylls that are reproductive leaves. In pteridophyta, sporophylls are photosynthetic.