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Male and female gametophytes are independent and free-living in
A
$Sphagnum$
B
Mustard
C
Castor
D
$Pinus$
Detailed Solution
$Sphagnum$ is a moss (bryophyte). In bryophytes the main plant body is the haploid gametophyte, which is green, photosynthetic, independent and free-living.
The male and female sex organs (antheridia and archegonia) are borne on these free-living gametophytes; the sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte.
Mustard and castor are angiosperms and $Pinus$ is a gymnosperm; in seed plants the male gametophyte (pollen grain) and female gametophyte (embryo sac / endosperm) are highly reduced and remain dependent on the sporophyte.
Hence independent, free-living male and female gametophytes occur in $Sphagnum$.
The male and female sex organs (antheridia and archegonia) are borne on these free-living gametophytes; the sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte.
Mustard and castor are angiosperms and $Pinus$ is a gymnosperm; in seed plants the male gametophyte (pollen grain) and female gametophyte (embryo sac / endosperm) are highly reduced and remain dependent on the sporophyte.
Hence independent, free-living male and female gametophytes occur in $Sphagnum$.