In what phase do mosses spend most of their life cycle? (1 point)
Responses
female
female
sporophyte
sporophyte
gametophyte
gametophyte
male
The correct answer is gametophyte.
Mosses spend most of their life cycle in the gametophyte phase.
To determine which phase mosses spend most of their life cycle, we need to understand the moss life cycle. Mosses have a life cycle that alternates between two distinct phases: the gametophyte phase and the sporophyte phase.
The gametophyte phase is the dominant phase in the moss life cycle. During this phase, the moss exists as a small, leafy plant body called a gametophyte. The gametophyte produces gametes (sperm and eggs) through a process called gametangia. These gametes will eventually fuse to form a sporophyte.
The sporophyte phase is the less dominant phase in the moss life cycle. It develops from the gametophyte and consists of a slender stalk with a capsule at the top. The capsule produces spores through a process called meiosis. These spores are released into the environment and can develop into new gametophytes, restarting the life cycle.
Therefore, the correct answer is gametophyte. Mosses spend most of their life cycle as gametophytes.