Neet Solved Paper 2015 Question 3
Question: In which of the following gametophyte is not independent free-living?
Options:
A) Funaria
B) Marchantia
C) Pteris
D) Pinus
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
- Gametophyte is phase of life cycle in which the gametes, i.e. egg and sperm are produced. In bryophytes (Funaria and Marchantia) fertilization is dependent on water for the transfer of sperm to the egg. The gametophytes are fertilised outside the body. Therefore, they have independent free-living gametophyte. In this respects Pteridophyta (Pteris) are similar to bryophytes, i.e. they still have free-living gametophytes. Pinaceae (Pinus) has well developed gametophyte in which sperm cells are fertilized with egg cell, within the ovule. Hence, option [d] is correct. Option [d] is correct because Pinus does not have independent and freely living gametophyte, but is dependent on sporophyte.
