Question

How are the gametophytes of a pine tree different from a fern gametophyte?

Gymnosperm gametophytes are microscopic and completely dependent on the sporophyte for nutrition. The gametophyte is always surrounded by sporophyte tissue. The fern gametophyte is a completely independent stage of the life cycle, though typically smaller than the sporophyte.

Fern gametophytes produce spores, while gymnosperm gametophytes produce eggs and pollen.

Gymnosperm gametophytes consist of the male and female cones, while the fern gametophyte is a physically separated structure from the sporophyte part of the life cycle.

Gymnosperm gametophytes are bisexual structures, while fern gametophytes have separate male and female gametophytes.

Answer 1