In angiosperms, are sperm and eggs produced by mitosis or meiosis?
Which cells are spores?
Which structures are gametophytes?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the life cycle of angiosperms, which includes both sporophyte and gametophyte generations. The sporophyte is the dominant generation in angiosperms.
2. Recognize that meiosis occurs in the sporophyte generation to produce spores. These spores are haploid cells that will develop into gametophytes.
3. Identify that the spores in angiosperms are the microspores and megaspores. Microspores develop into male gametophytes, while megaspores develop into female gametophytes.
4. Understand that gametophytes are the structures that produce gametes (sperm and eggs) through mitosis. In angiosperms, the male gametophyte is the pollen grain, and the female gametophyte is the embryo sac.
5. Conclude that sperm and eggs are produced by mitosis within the gametophyte structures. The pollen grain produces sperm cells, and the embryo sac produces egg cells.

Key Concepts

Mitosis and Meiosis in Angiosperms

In angiosperms, sperm and eggs are produced by mitosis, not meiosis. Meiosis occurs earlier in the life cycle to produce haploid spores from diploid cells. These spores then undergo mitosis to form gametophytes, which are the structures that produce gametes (sperm and eggs).

Spores in Angiosperms

Spores in angiosperms are haploid cells produced by meiosis. They are the initial cells that give rise to the gametophyte generation. In flowering plants, the microspores develop into male gametophytes (pollen grains), and megaspores develop into female gametophytes (embryo sacs).

Gametophytes in Angiosperms

Gametophytes are the haploid structures in the life cycle of angiosperms that produce gametes. The male gametophyte is the pollen grain, which produces sperm cells, while the female gametophyte is the embryo sac within the ovule, which produces egg cells. These structures are crucial for sexual reproduction in flowering plants.