Chapter 23, Problem 11A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The advantages and disadvantages of heterosporous plants.

Introduction:

Plants show different types of reproduction. For example mosses or most of the nonvascular plants reproduced by alternation of generation, ferns can reproduce by their spores, etc. The plants that reproduce only one type of spores are known as homosporous plants. These plants can develop either female or male gametophytes.

Explanation of Solution

The plants that produce two types of spores are called heterosporous plants. These plants can develop the spores into male and female gametophytes. The advantage of heterosporous plant is that they lit permit the various spores to grow in different ways. This significantly improves the plant's growth options and ensures that vulnerable stages can be removed. The disadvantage of these plants is that more energy is required to grow the various spores and that they must be fused together for fertilization by pollinators.

Conclusion

Thus, the heterosporous plants can increase the developmental options of the plants.