**Answer:**

The prominent phase in the life cycle of bryophytes is the **gametophyte**. Bryophytes are non-vascular plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They have a unique life cycle that involves alternating generations of two distinct phases: the gametophyte and the sporophyte.

**Gametophyte Phase:**

The gametophyte is the dominant phase in the life cycle of bryophytes. It is the haploid (having one set of chromosomes) and gamete-producing phase. The gametophyte is the visible, leafy part of the plant that we commonly recognize as the moss or liverwort. It is the phase that carries out photosynthesis and produces the sex organs.

During the gametophyte phase, the moss or liverwort produces archegonia and antheridia. The archegonia are female sex organs that produce eggs, while the antheridia are male sex organs that produce sperm. The sperm requires water for fertilization to occur because they swim to the eggs through a film of water.

After fertilization, the zygote is formed, which develops into the sporophyte phase.

**Sporophyte Phase:**

The sporophyte phase is the diploid (having two sets of chromosomes) and spore-producing phase in the bryophyte life cycle. It is dependent on the gametophyte phase for nutrition and support.

The sporophyte phase develops from the fertilized zygote and remains attached to the gametophyte. It is a small, non-photosynthetic structure that consists of a foot, seta, and capsule. The foot is embedded in the gametophyte and absorbs nutrients. The seta is the stalk-like structure that elevates the capsule. The capsule contains sporogenous tissue, which undergoes meiosis to produce haploid spores.

When the spores are mature, the sporophyte releases them into the environment. These spores are dispersed by wind or water and, upon landing in a suitable environment, germinate to form new gametophytes. The spores give rise to protonemata, which are thread-like structures that develop into new gametophytes.

**Conclusion:**

In conclusion, the gametophyte phase is the prominent phase in the life cycle of bryophytes. It is the leafy, haploid phase that carries out photosynthesis and produces the sex organs. The sporophyte phase, although important for spore production, remains dependent on the gametophyte phase for nutrition and support.