In pteridophytes, the megaspore germinates to form

Options

A. Pollen grain
B. Embryo
C. Seed
D. Female gametophyte

Answer

To solve the question "In pteridophytes, the megaspore germinates to form," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Pteridophytes**:
- Pteridophytes are a group of vascular plants that reproduce via spores. They include ferns, horsetails, and clubmosses.

2. **Identifying Spores**:
- In pteridophytes, there are two types of spores: microspores and megaspores.
- Microspores are smaller and develop into male gametophytes, while megaspores are larger and develop into female gametophytes.

3. **Germination of Megaspores**:
- When a megaspore germinates, it develops into a female gametophyte. This process involves the megaspore undergoing mitotic divisions to form the gametophyte structure.

4. **Formation of Gametophytes**:
- The female gametophyte is responsible for producing archegonia, which are the structures that produce eggs (female gametes).
- The male gametophyte, derived from microspores, produces antheridia, which produce sperm (male gametes).

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that in pteridophytes, the megaspore germinates to form the **female gametophyte**.

### Final Answer:
In pteridophytes, the megaspore germinates to form the **female gametophyte**.

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