Read the following five statements (A ­ E) and answer as asked next to them. (A) In Equisetum, the female gametophyte is retained on the parent sporophyte. (B) In Ginkgo, the male gametophyte is not independent. (C) The sporophyte in Riccia is more developed than that in Polytrichum. (D) Sexual reproduction in Volvox is isogamous. (E) The spores of slime molds lack cell walls. How many of the above statements are correct?

Explanation

(d ) : Equisetum is a pteridophyte and in pteridophytes, the main plant body is sporophyte which is differentiated into true root, stem, and leaves. Gametophytes are small or inconspicuous and free-living, mostly photosynthetic thalloid called prothallus. Ricciais a liverwort and Polytrichum is a moss. The sporophyte in mosses is more elaborate than that in liverworts. Volvox shows monogamous type of sexual reproduction, i.e., a fusion between one large, non-motile (static) female gamete and a smaller, motile male gamete. During unfavorable conditions, the slime mold differentiates and forms fruiting bodies bearing spores at their tips. The spores possess true walls. They are extremely resistant and survive for many years, even under adverse conditions.