Q3 / 120 · NEET 2011 (Mains) · Botany

Selaginella and Salvinia are considered to represent a significant step towards evolution of seed habit because

  • A
    female gametophyte is free and gets dispersed like seeds
  • B
    female gametophyte lacks archegonia
  • C
    magaspores possess endosperm and embryo surrounded by seed coat
  • Correct answer
    D
    embryo develops in female gametophyte which is retained on parent sporophyte

Solution

Selaginella and Salvinia are heterosporous as they produce two kinds of spores-mirco (small) spores and macro (large) spores. The microspores and megaspores germinate and give rise to male and female gametophyte, respectively. The female gametophyte in these plants are retained on the parent sporophytes for variable periods. The development of the zygotes into young embryos takes place within the female gametophytes. This event is the precursor to the seed habit considered to an important step in evolution.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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