In which of the following groups of plants, the life cycle includes the gametophytic phase which is dominant, photosynthetic, independent and sexually reproducing

Options

A. Angiosperms
B. Gymnosperms
C. Bryophyta
D. Pteridophyta

Answer

To solve the question regarding which group of plants has a dominant, photosynthetic, independent, and sexually reproducing gametophytic phase, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Life Cycle of Plants**:
- Plants have two main phases in their life cycle: the gametophyte phase (haploid) and the sporophyte phase (diploid).
- The gametophyte phase produces gametes (sperm and eggs), while the sporophyte phase produces spores.

2. **Identify the Groups of Plants**:
- The options provided are Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, Bryophyta, and Pteridophyta.
- Angiosperms and Gymnosperms are seed-producing plants.
- Bryophyta includes mosses and liverworts.
- Pteridophyta includes ferns and horsetails.

3. **Analyze Each Group**:
- **Angiosperms**: The dominant phase is the sporophyte, which is not independent and photosynthetic in the gametophytic phase.
- **Gymnosperms**: Similar to angiosperms, the dominant phase is sporophyte, and the gametophyte is not dominant or independent.
- **Pteridophyta**: The sporophyte is dominant, although the gametophyte is independent, it is not the dominant phase.
- **Bryophyta**: The gametophyte is the dominant phase, it is photosynthetic, independent, and sexually reproducing.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the group of plants where the gametophytic phase is dominant, photosynthetic, independent, and sexually reproducing is **Bryophyta**.

### Final Answer:
**Bryophyta** is the correct answer.

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