In which of the following, gametophyte is not independent free living?
- Pteris
- Pinus
- Funaria
- Marchantia
Answer
(2) Pinus
Solution
As per NCERT, in gymnosperms the male and female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence; they remain within the sporangia retained on the sporophytes.
⇒ Funaria and Marchantia (bryophytes): the plant body itself is the free-living gametophyte.
⇒ Pteris (pteridophyte): the gametophyte (prothallus) is small but free-living.
∴ In Pinus (gymnosperm) the gametophyte is not independent.
Answer: (2)