Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In gymnosperms, the male and female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence. Reason (R): The gametophytes remain within the sporangia which are retained on the sporophytes. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) is correct because unlike bryophytes and pteridophytes, the gametophytes of gymnosperms are highly reduced and completely dependent on the sporophyte for their nutrition and survival. Reason (R) is also correct and provides the exact explanation for Assertion (A). The lack of an independent existence is due to the fact that the male and female gametophytes develop within the microsporangia and megasporangia, respectively, which are permanently retained on the parent sporophyte. This physical retention