Question

How do pteridophytes reproduce sexually?

Answer 1

Hint: Pteridophytes are plants that do not produce any flowers or seeds. They are also called cryptograms. Ferns and horsetails are included in this category. They are the first terrestrial plants to show the presence of the vascular tissues, xylem and phloem. Pteridophytes have true roots, stems and leaves. They are usually found in damp and shady places. They reproduce through both sexual and asexual methods.

Complete explanation:
The pteridophytes reproduce sexually through spores. The sporophyte of pteridophytes carries the sporangia which will burst open once the spores are matured. These mature spores germinate to form a gametophyte. The gametophyte is a tiny heart shaped plant about half inch wide. It carries the male and female organs.
The sporophyte will be in the diploid phase whereas the gametophyte will be haploid in nature. The gametophyte is monoecious in the homosporous pteridophytes and dioecious in the heterosporous pteridophytes.
Sperm is produced in the male organ or the antheridia and egg develops in the female organ or the archegonia. The sperm contains a flagella like structure which makes it possible for it to move inside the egg. When the sperm fuses with the egg, fertilization takes place and a new sporophyte develops. A good moist environment is essential for proper fertilization to take place.
The newly formed sporophyte undergoes meiosis to produce haploid spore which forms the haploid gametophyte. This completes the life cycle of pteridophytes.

Note:
Asexual reproduction is also a common type of reproduction in the pteridophytes. It helps in increasing the population under unfavourable conditions. The offspring are genetically identical too. It occurs through fragmentation or budding. The pteridophytes produce vegetative buds also known as gemmae. When this bud falls on the ground it develops into a new plant (For example, Tectaria gemmifera).