In what phase do mosses spend most of their life cycle? (1 point)
Responses
gametophyte
gametophyte
female
female
sporophyte
sporophyte
male
gametophyte
Mosses spend most of their life cycle in the gametophyte phase.
The phase in which mosses spend most of their life cycle is the gametophyte phase.
To arrive at this answer, you can study the life cycle of mosses. Mosses have a unique life cycle that alternates between two generations – the gametophyte and the sporophyte. The gametophyte is the dominant, leafy stage of the mosses, while the sporophyte is a smaller, dependent stage.
In the gametophyte phase, mosses produce both male and female reproductive structures called gametangia. These structures house the gametes, which are the reproductive cells. The male gametangia, called antheridia, produce sperm, while the female gametangia, called archegonia, produce eggs.
Fertilization occurs when the sperm swim from the male gametangia to the female gametangia, resulting in the formation of a diploid zygote. The zygote then develops into the sporophyte, which remains attached to the gametophyte. The sporophyte obtains nutrients from the gametophyte and eventually produces spores through meiosis.
However, the sporophyte phase of the moss life cycle is generally short-lived and less prominent. It is dependent on the gametophyte and eventually releases spores, which can germinate and develop into new gametophytes, completing the life cycle.
Therefore, based on the life cycle of mosses, the correct answer is the gametophyte phase.