In which one of the following, the male and female gametophytes don't have free-living independent existence?

In which one of the following, the male and female gametophytes don't have free-living independent existence?
  1. Pteris
  2. Funaria
  3. Polytrichum
  4. Cedrus

Solution

Cedrus is a gymnosperm having reduced dependent gametophytes- pollen and endosperm. In gymnosperms the male and the female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence and remain within the sporangia and are retained on the sporophytes. Hence, option D is correct.

Asked in: NEET 2008 (Screening)

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