Question 1

Which of the following best describes the alternation of generations in land plants?

Accepted Answer

A life cycle in which both the diploid sporophyte and haploid gametophyte are multicellular.

Question 2

In mosses, which stage is dominant and what is its ploidy?

Accepted Answer

Gametophyte; haploid (n)

Question 3

Which process in the plant life cycle restores the diploid number of chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization

Question 4

In ferns, what is the product of meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Haploid spores

Question 5

Why does evolution favor sporophyte dominance in vascular plants?

Accepted Answer

Sporophytes are better protected and can disperse more effectively.

Question 6

Which of the following is true about the gametophyte in gymnosperms?

Accepted Answer

It is highly reduced and dependent on the sporophyte.

Question 7

In mosses, what is the function of the antheridia?

Accepted Answer

To produce sperm

Question 8

Which of the following statements about fertilization in non-seed plants (mosses and ferns) is correct?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization requires external water for sperm to swim to the egg.

Question 9

What is the main dispersal unit in ferns?

Accepted Answer

Spores

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why the gametophyte is reduced in seed plants?

Accepted Answer

The sporophyte provides protection and resources, making a large gametophyte unnecessary.

Question 11

Which of the following is a key difference between the plant and animal life cycles?

Accepted Answer

Plants have a multicellular haploid stage; animals do not.

Question 12

In the moss life cycle, what is the relationship between the sporophyte and gametophyte?

Accepted Answer

The sporophyte is attached to and nutritionally dependent on the gametophyte.

Question 13

Which equation correctly represents the chromosome number change during fertilization in plants?

Accepted Answer

$$n + n \rightarrow 2n$$

Question 14

Which structure in mosses contains the egg cell?

Accepted Answer

Archegonium

Question 15

What is the evolutionary significance of vascular tissue in ferns?

Accepted Answer

It allowed the transition to sporophyte dominance.

Question 16

Which of the following is produced by mitosis in the plant life cycle?

Accepted Answer

Gametes from a gametophyte

Question 17

In ferns, which stage is photosynthetic and free-living?

Accepted Answer

Both gametophyte and sporophyte

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the product of meiosis in seed plants?

Accepted Answer

Microspores and megaspores (both haploid)

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events in the alternation of generations in ferns?

Accepted Answer

Sporophyte (2n) → meiosis → spore (n) → mitosis → gametophyte (n) → mitosis → gametes (n) → fertilization → zygote (2n)

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the moss life cycle?

Accepted Answer

Dominant sporophyte generation

L3: Alternation of Generations in Plants: Comparative Life Cycles of Mosses, Ferns, and Seed Plants

Study Guide - Practice Questions