Comment on the lifecycle and nature of a fern prothallus.
Answers
The fern prothallus, is a small heart shaped photosynthetic structure and is the result of a germinated spore from the sporophyte generation of a fern. The prothallus represents the gametophyte generation as it contains the archaegonium (produces ova) and the antheridium (produces sperm). The prothallus is haploid, as are the gametes produced.
Explanation:
The life cycle of tern (Dryopteris ) clearly shwos the alternation of generation. The gametophytic stage (n) alternates with the sporophytic stage (2n) figure given shows its complete life cycle
Prothallus The prothalus of the fern is multicelluar, free living. thallodi, haploid and autotrophic structure. It develops form the spores produced by sporophyll after reduction division.
These spore germinate with a germtube with an apical cell and forms a filament of 3-6 cells and one or two rhizoids at the base which later develops into gametophytic plant