Male gametophyte with least number of cells is present in

Options

A. Pinus
B. Pteris
C. Funaria
D. Lilium

Answer

To determine which plant has the male gametophyte with the least number of cells, we will analyze the options provided: Pinus, Pteris, Funaria, and Lilium.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Male Gametophytes**:
- Male gametophytes are structures that produce male gametes (sperm). The complexity and number of cells in male gametophytes vary across different plant groups.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Funaria**: This is a bryophyte (moss). In bryophytes, the male gametophyte is relatively complex and consists of many cells.
- **Pteris**: This is a pteridophyte (fern). The male gametophyte in ferns is also multicellular but less complex than that of bryophytes.
- **Pinus**: This is a gymnosperm. The male gametophyte in Pinus is reduced but still has more cells than that of angiosperms.
- **Lilium**: This is an angiosperm. The male gametophyte in Lilium is highly reduced and consists of only three cells.

3. **Comparing the Number of Cells**:
- The number of cells in the male gametophyte decreases in the following order:
- Funaria (many cells)
- Pteris (fewer cells than Funaria)
- Pinus (reduced number of cells)
- Lilium (least number of cells, only 3)

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the male gametophyte with the least number of cells is found in **Lilium**.

### Final Answer:
The male gametophyte with the least number of cells is present in **Lilium**.

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