Explanation:
In gymnosperms, ovules are naked because true carpels are absent. Let's understand this in detail:

1. Gymnosperms:
Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, ginkgo, and gnetophytes. They are characterized by the presence of naked seeds, which are not enclosed within a fruit.

2. Ovules:
Ovules are the structures within the ovary of a flower that contain the female reproductive cells called gametes. They are responsible for the production of seeds after fertilization.

3. True Carpels:
Carpels are the female reproductive organs of a flower. In gymnosperms, true carpels are absent. Carpels consist of three main parts: stigma, style, and ovary. The ovary contains the ovules.

4. Naked Ovules:
In gymnosperms, the ovules are not enclosed within a protective structure like a carpel. They are exposed and not covered by any structure. This is why they are referred to as naked ovules.

5. Fertilization:
Fertilization is the process of fusion of male and female gametes, resulting in the formation of a zygote. The presence or absence of fertilization is not directly related to the nakedness of ovules in gymnosperms.

6. Absence of True Carpels:
The main reason for the nakedness of ovules in gymnosperms is the absence of true carpels. True carpels enclose the ovules, providing them protection and support. In gymnosperms, the ovules are not enclosed within a carpel, and hence, they are naked.

7. Examples of Gymnosperms:
Some examples of gymnosperms are pine trees, spruce trees, fir trees, cycads, ginkgo trees, and conifers.

To summarize, in gymnosperms, ovules are naked because true carpels, which enclose and protect the ovules, are absent. This is a characteristic feature of gymnosperms and distinguishes them from angiosperms, where ovules are enclosed within a carpel.