In bryophytes

Options

A. sporophytes are dependent upon gametophytes
B. sporophyte and gametophyte generations are independent
C. sporophyte in itself completes the life cycle
D. gametophytes are dependent upon sporophyte

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Bryophytes**:
- Bryophytes are a group of lower plants that include mosses and liverworts. They are often referred to as the amphibians of the plant kingdom because they require water for their sexual reproduction.

2. **Life Cycle of Bryophytes**:
- Bryophytes exhibit an alternation of generations, which includes two main phases: the gametophyte and the sporophyte. The main plant body of bryophytes is haploid and is known as the gametophyte.

3. **Gametophyte Generation**:
- The gametophyte produces gametes (sperm and eggs) through specialized structures. The male sex organ is called antheridium, which produces male gametes (sperm), while the female sex organ is called archegonium, which contains the egg.

4. **Sporophyte Generation**:
- The sporophyte is diploid and develops from the fertilized egg. It is dependent on the gametophyte for nutrition and support. The sporophyte contains spore mother cells that undergo meiosis to produce spores.

5. **Dependency Relationship**:
- The key point is that the sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte for its nutrition and cannot complete its life cycle independently. This means that the statement "Sporophyte depends on gametophyte" is correct.

6. **Evaluating Statements**:
- The first statement "Sporophyte depends on gametophyte" is true.
- The second statement "Both are independent" is false because the sporophyte relies on the gametophyte.
- The statement "Sporophyte itself completes its life cycle" is also false for the same reason.

7. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct option is that the sporophyte depends on the gametophyte.