The "dots" on the underside of a fern frond are spore cases; therefore, what is true of the plant to which the frond belongs?

• A. It is a spore.
• B. It is a gamete.
• C. It is a gametophyte.
• D. It is a spermatophyte.
• E. It is a sporophyte.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the life cycle of ferns, which includes two main stages: the sporophyte and the gametophyte.
2. Recognize that the sporophyte stage is the dominant phase in the life cycle of ferns, where the plant is diploid and produces spores.
3. Identify that the 'dots' on the underside of a fern frond are sporangia, which are structures that produce and release spores.
4. Recall that spores are produced by the sporophyte generation through meiosis, leading to the formation of haploid spores.
5. Conclude that since the frond with spore cases is producing spores, the plant is in the sporophyte stage of its life cycle.