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Question
The heterosporous pteridophytes show certain characteristics, which are precursor to the seed habit in gymnosperms. Explain.
Solution
In the majority of the pteridophytes, all the spores are of similar kinds, such plants are called homosporous. Genera like Selaginella, Salvinia, Marsilea and Azolla which produce two kinds of spores, macro (large) and micro (small) spores, are known as heterosporous. The megaspores and microspores germinate and give rise to female and male gametophytes, respectively.
The female gametophytes in these plants are retained on the parent sporophytes for variable periods. The development of the zygotes into young embryos takes place within the female gametophytes. This event is a precursor to the seed habit considered an important step in evolution.
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