In gymnosperms, reduced male gametophyte is called

Options

A. ovule
B. zygote
C. embryo
D. pollen grain

Answer

To answer the question "In gymnosperms, reduced male gametophyte is called," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Gymnosperms**: Gymnosperms are a group of plants characterized by having naked seeds. This means that their seeds are not enclosed in an ovary or fruit.

2. **Identify Key Terms**: The question refers to the "reduced male gametophyte." In plant biology, gametophytes are the sexual phase of the plant life cycle, which produces gametes (sperm and eggs).

3. **Differentiate Between Spores**: Gymnosperms are heterosporous, meaning they produce two types of spores: microspores (male) and megaspores (female). The microspores develop into male gametophytes.

4. **Define Male Gametophyte**: The male gametophyte in gymnosperms is highly reduced and consists of a limited number of cells.

5. **Identify the Correct Term**: In gymnosperms, the reduced male gametophyte is specifically known as the **pollen grain**. This is the structure that carries the male gametes.

6. **Eliminate Other Options**:
- **Ovule**: This is the structure that develops into a seed, not the male gametophyte.
- **Zygote**: This is formed from the fusion of male and female gametes, not the male gametophyte.
- **Embryo**: This develops from the zygote, not directly from the male gametophyte.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the answer to the question is that in gymnosperms, the reduced male gametophyte is called **pollen grain**.

### Final Answer:
In gymnosperms, the reduced male gametophyte is called **pollen grain**.

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