Question

Spindle shaped gametes are found in
A) Lycopodium
B) Pteris
C) Pteridium
D) Selaginella

Answer 1

Hint: Spindle shaped means gametes having the physical appearance like broad in the middle and tapering at the both ends. In cell biology, the spindle apparatus is defined as the cytoskeleton structure of eukaryotic cells which is formed in the process of cell division.

Complete Answer:
- Spindle formation occurs by two processes: the mitotic spindle during mitosis, in which genetically identical daughter cells formed and the meiotic spindle during meiosis, in which gametes with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell are formed.
- Spindles except the chromosomes also contain proteins.
- Spindle shaped gametes mostly found in the selaginella.
- Spike moss or little club moss other name of selaginella.
- It is a tropical plant.
- It has worldwide distribution and mostly grows in damp forests and some of their species found in temperate regions.
- They grow in moist shady places.
- Selaginella male gametes are biflagellate.

So, the correct answer is Selaginella.

Additional formation:
- Family of selaginella is Selaginellaceae.
- Selaginella having various secondary metabolites like alkaloids, phenol and terpenoids etc.
- These secondary metabolites showing the activity as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral etc.
- It is also seen as effective in improving fitness.

Note: A pteridophyte is a vascular plant that is having the xylem and phloem and disperses spores. Because pteridophytes do not produce flowers and seeds.
They are also referred to as "cryptogams", which means that reproduction is hidden.