NEET2011BotanyPlant KingdomActual
Which statement is correct regarding mosses ?
Options
- AThey have dominant and independent sporophyte.
- BTheir antherozoids require water for fertilization.
- CTheir archegonia produce many eggs.
- DTheir antherozoids are multiflagellated.
Correct answer
B. Their antherozoids require water for fertilization.
Step-by-step solution
In mosses the sporophytes (i.e. the diploid body) are short-lived and dependent on the gametophyte. In the presence of water, sperms from the antheridia swim to the archegonia and fertilization occurs, leading to the production of a diploid sporophyte. The sperm of mosses is biflagellate, i.e. they have two flagella that aid in propulsion. Since the sperms must swim to the archegonium, fertilization cannot occur without water.