Reduction (meiotic) division in pteridophytes occurs

Options

A. During gamete formation
B. After spore formation
C. During spore formation
D. After gamete formation

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Pteridophytes**: Pteridophytes are a group of vascular plants that reproduce via spores and include ferns and horsetails. They exhibit a life cycle known as haplodiplontic, which involves alternating generations of haploid and diploid phases.

2. **Identifying the Life Cycle Stages**: In the haplodiplontic life cycle, there are two main stages:
- **Sporophyte Stage**: The diploid phase that produces spores.
- **Gametophyte Stage**: The haploid phase that develops from the spores and produces gametes.

3. **Meiosis in the Life Cycle**: Meiosis, or reduction division, is the process that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid cells from diploid cells. In pteridophytes, meiosis occurs in the sporophyte stage.

4. **Location of Meiosis**: Specifically, meiosis occurs in the spore mother cells (sporocytes) during the process of spore formation. These spore mother cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores.

5. **Formation of Gametes**: The haploid spores then germinate to form the gametophyte. The gametophyte produces gametes, but meiosis does not occur at this stage.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the reduction division (meiosis) in pteridophytes occurs during the process of spore formation.

### Final Answer:
Reduction (meiotic) division in pteridophytes occurs during spore formation.

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