Bryophyte spores germinate to produce gametophytes.
Gametophyte Development in Bryophytes
Bryophytes, which include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, have a life cycle dominated by the gametophyte generation. The process begins with the release of spores from the sporophyte. When these spores land in a suitable environment, typically a cool and damp location, they germinate.
Germination Process:
The germination process results in the formation of the gametophyte. This gametophyte is the dominant, photosynthetic stage of the bryophyte life cycle. It is the structure that bears the sex organs.
Sex Organs:
The gametophytes bear two types of sex organs:
- Antheridia: These are the male sex organs that produce sperm.
- Archegonia: These are the female sex organs that contain the egg.
Fertilization, requiring water for the sperm to swim to the egg, results in the formation of a zygote, which then develops into the sporophyte. The sporophyte remains attached to the gametophyte and is dependent on it for nutrition. The sporophyte then produces spores, completing the life cycle.
