Alternation of generations
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Alternation of generations is the predominant type of life cycle in plants and algae. In plants, both phases are multicellular: the haploid sexual phase – the gametophyte – alternates with a diploid a
Gametophyte of the fern Onoclea sensibilis (flat thallus, bottom) with a descendant sporophyte beginning to grow from it (small frond, top)
Gametophyte of Mnium hornum, a moss
Sporophyte of Lomaria discolor, a fern
Gametophyte of Pellia epiphylla with sporophytes growing from the remains of archegonia
Gametophyte
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A gametophyte is one of the two alternating multicellular phases in the life cycles of plants. It is a haploid multicellular organism that develops from a haploid spore, that has one set of chromosome
Alternation of generations
…or heterogenesis) is the predominant type of life cycle in plants and algae. In plants, both phases are multicellular: the haploid sexual phase – the gametophyte – alternates with a diploid asexual phase – the sporophyte. A mature sporophyte produces haploid spores by meiosis, a process which reduces the number…
Pine gametophyte (outside) surrounding the embryo (inside)