Why plant body of Dryopteris is called sporophyte?

Answer

To understand why the plant body of Dryopteris is called a sporophyte, we can break down the explanation into several steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Sporophyte**: The term "sporophyte" refers to the diploid (2n) phase of the plant life cycle. In ferns like Dryopteris, this is the dominant phase that we typically see.

2. **Diploid Nature**: The sporophyte is characterized by having two sets of chromosomes (diploid). This is important because it indicates that the plant body is formed from the fusion of gametes (male and female).

3. **Production of Spores**: The sporophyte undergoes meiosis, a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid (n) spores. These spores are crucial for the plant's reproduction.

4. **Formation of Gametes**: The haploid spores produced by the sporophyte can develop into gametophytes, which are the structures that produce gametes (sperm and eggs). This is a key part of the plant's life cycle.

5. **Role of Sporangium**: In Dryopteris, the spores are produced in specialized structures called sporangia. The sporangium is where the spores are formed and stored until they are ready to be released for reproduction.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the plant body of Dryopteris is referred to as a sporophyte because it is the diploid phase that produces haploid spores through meiosis, which are essential for the continuation of the plant's life cycle.