Question

Enumerate the important events in the life cycle of bryophytes

Answer 1

Bryophyte generations alternate between a sporophytic generation (uses spores to reproduce) and a gametophytic generation (uses sperm and eggs to reproduce).

Let's look at the sporophytic generation first (but remember, this is a cycle and the two types are linked). Bryophytes produce spores through sexual reproduction. Individual plants may be either male or female (depending on the species), or an individual plant may have both male and female parts. An individual spore is haploid, meaning it only has one set of chromosomes. When a spore lands on the ground and germinates, it will produce a small leafy mat called a protonema