Heterosporous pteridophytes show certain characteristic which are prec...
Characteristic of Heterosporous Pteridophytes as Precursor to the Seed Habit in Gymnosperms
Heterosporous pteridophytes are a group of plants that produce two types of spores, microspores, and megaspores. These spores give rise to male and female gametophytes, respectively. The following characteristic of heterosporous pteridophytes is a precursor to the seed habit in gymnosperms:
Development of Embryo inside the Female Gametophyte
In heterosporous pteridophytes, the female gametophyte retains the developing embryo within its body. This is a precursor to the seed habit in gymnosperms because in gymnosperms, the developing embryo is retained within the female gametophyte inside the ovule. In contrast, in angiosperms, the developing embryo is protected by endosperm and stored in the seed.
The retention of the developing embryo within the female gametophyte provides protection and nutrition, which is essential for the survival of the embryo. This adaptation allows the plant to produce offspring that are better adapted to survive in harsh environmental conditions.
This characteristic is different from homosporous pteridophytes, where the developing embryo is not retained within the female gametophyte. This is because homosporous pteridophytes do not produce two different types of spores like heterosporous pteridophytes. As a result, the developing embryo in homosporous pteridophytes is not protected and is vulnerable to environmental conditions.
Conclusion
The development of the embryo inside the female gametophyte is a characteristic of heterosporous pteridophytes that is a precursor to the seed habit in gymnosperms. This adaptation provides protection and nutrition to the developing embryo and allows the plant to produce offspring that are better adapted to survive in harsh environmental conditions.
Heterosporous pteridophytes show certain characteristic which are prec...
Genera like Selaginella and Salvinia which produce two kinds of 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 take place within the female gametophytes. This event is the precursor to the seed habit which is considered as an important step in evolution.
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