Question

The development of Funaria gametophyte always initiated from:
(a) Antheridium
(b) Protonema
(c) Archegonia
(d) Capsule

Answer 1

Hint: The spores liberated germinate into a creeping, green, branched, chlorophyll and frequently filamentous stage which marked the development of gametophyte in Funaria.

Complete answer:
The predominant stage of the life cycle of a Funaria is the gametophyte which consists of protonema and leafy stages. It is commonly found in the life cycle of Hornworts and Liverworts.

Additional Information: - The plant body is a leafy gametophyte which has multicellular and branched rhizoids.
- They contain upright, slender, axis bearing, spirally arranged leaves. This stage bears the sex organ. - In sexual reproduction, the sex organs antheridia and archegonia are produced at the apex of the leafy shoot.
- The sex organs are present on the same plant but different branches.
- Each antheridium produces several biflagellate antherozoids. Each archegonium produces a fertile egg. - The fusion of gametes with the help of water leads to the formation of zygote. The zygote develops into a sporophyte which is differentiated into foot, seta and capsule. - The capsule encloses two spore sacs where spores are formed through meiosis. - The spore on liberation germinates into a creeping green branched and frequently filamentous stage called protonema (juvenile phase) .
- In the case of mosses, protonema consists of two types of cell chromonemata and caulonema.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Protonema.’
Note: Vegetative reproduction also occurs in Funaria. Fragmentation and budding occur in secondary protonema. In secondary protonema, a lateral bud is produced which develops into a leafy stage. Funaria is an amphibious plant and sexual reproduction takes place through the water. They show alternation of generation i.e. gametophyte alternates with sporophytes.