Which of the following correctly arranges the major events in the life cycle of mosses?

• A. Spore → Meiosis → Gametophyte → Gametes → Fertilization → Sporophyte → Zygote
• B. Gametophyte → Fertilization → Spore → Meiosis → Sporophyte → Gametes → Zygote
• C. Sporophyte → Meiosis → Spore → Gametophyte → Gametes → Fertilization → Zygote → Sporophyte
• D. Sporophyte → Gametes → Fertilization → Meiosis → Spore → Gametophyte → Zygote

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the moss life cycle, which alternates between two generations: the haploid gametophyte and the diploid sporophyte. This alternation is called alternation of generations.
2. Step 2: Begin with the sporophyte generation. The sporophyte is diploid and produces haploid spores through meiosis. This is the first major event in the cycle.
3. Step 3: The haploid spores germinate and grow into the gametophyte generation. The gametophyte is responsible for producing gametes (sperm and egg cells) through mitosis.
4. Step 4: Fertilization occurs when a sperm cell from the male gametophyte fuses with an egg cell from the female gametophyte, forming a diploid zygote.
5. Step 5: The zygote develops into a new sporophyte, completing the cycle and starting the process again.