**In Funaria, the sporophyte is independent of the gametophyte.**

**Explanation:**

**Funaria** is a genus of mosses that belongs to the division Bryophyta. It is characterized by its life cycle, which alternates between two distinct stages: the **gametophyte** and the **sporophyte**. The gametophyte is the dominant stage, while the sporophyte is a short-lived, dependent structure.

**Gametophyte:**
- The gametophyte stage of Funaria is the leafy, green, and photosynthetic phase.
- It is the dominant phase and carries out essential functions, such as photosynthesis and the production of gametes.
- The gametophyte is independent and self-sustaining, obtaining nutrients and water directly from the environment.
- It consists of a protonema, which develops into leafy shoots called gametophores.
- The gametophyte produces both male and female reproductive structures (antheridia and archegonia) on separate gametophores.
- Fertilization occurs when sperm from the antheridia swims to the archegonia and fuses with the egg, forming a zygote.

**Sporophyte:**
- After fertilization, the zygote develops into the sporophyte, a dependent structure.
- The sporophyte is attached to the gametophyte and obtains nutrients from it through a specialized structure called the foot.
- The sporophyte consists of a foot, seta, and capsule.
- The foot is embedded in the gametophyte tissue, while the seta is a stalk-like structure that elevates the capsule.
- The capsule contains spores, which are produced through meiosis.
- When mature, the capsule releases spores into the environment, which can disperse and germinate to form new gametophytes.

**Independence of the sporophyte:**
- Unlike some other bryophytes, such as liverworts, where the sporophyte remains permanently attached and dependent on the gametophyte, the sporophyte of Funaria is independent.
- Although it initially relies on the gametophyte for nutrients, the sporophyte develops its own photosynthetic tissues and becomes self-sustaining.
- Once the sporophyte matures and releases spores, it detaches from the gametophyte and functions as a separate individual.
- This independence allows the sporophyte to disperse its spores more effectively and colonize new habitats.

In conclusion, in Funaria, the sporophyte is independent of the gametophyte. While the gametophyte is the dominant and self-sustaining stage, the sporophyte develops as a dependent structure but later becomes independent, carrying out its own photosynthesis and releasing spores for dispersal.

C