During the gametophyte generation, haploid cells undergo mitosis to produce gametes.

During the gametophyte generation, haploid cells undergo mitosis to produce gametes.

• A. Haploid cells undergo mitosis to form gametes
• B. Diploid cells undergo meiosis to form spores
• C. Sporophyte generation is haploid
• D. Gametophyte generation begins after fertilization

Answer: (A)

In this life cycle, the gametophyte is haploid, so it makes its reproductive cells by mitosis rather than by meiosis. Mitosis keeps the chromosome number the same, producing more haploid cells that become the sperm and eggs. When two gametes fuse during fertilization, the chromosome number returns to diploid, starting the sporophyte generation. The sporophyte then produces haploid spores by meiosis, which grow into new haploid gametophytes and restart the cycle. The other statements mix up where meiosis occurs or the ploidy of the stages, or when fertilization happens, which is why the mitotic production of gametes by the haploid gametophyte is the correct description.

In this life cycle, the gametophyte is haploid, so it makes its reproductive cells by mitosis rather than by meiosis. Mitosis keeps the chromosome number the same, producing more haploid cells that become the sperm and eggs. When two gametes fuse during fertilization, the chromosome number returns to diploid, starting the sporophyte generation. The sporophyte then produces haploid spores by meiosis, which grow into new haploid gametophytes and restart the cycle. The other statements mix up where meiosis occurs or the ploidy of the stages, or when fertilization happens, which is why the mitotic production of gametes by the haploid gametophyte is the correct description.