Q. Gametophytic and sporophytic phases are independent in

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Solution:

Pteridophytes are also known as vascular cryptogams because these plants contain vascular tissues and reproduce by means of spores. The dominant phase in the life cycle of pteridophytes is sporophyte (2n) which is differentiated into root, stem and leaves. Leaves may be small (microphyllous) or large (megaphyllous). Leaves bear sporangia which produce spores after meiosis. These spores on germination give rise to prothallus that represents the gametophytic phase. Both gametophyte and sporophyte are physiologically and nutritionally independent of each other.