Reduction (meiotic) division in pteridophytes occurs

Options

A. During gamete formation
B. After spore formation
C. During spore formation
D. After gamete formation

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Pteridophytes**:
- Pteridophytes are a group of vascular plants that reproduce via spores and do not produce seeds. They include ferns, horsetails, and clubmosses. The dominant phase in their life cycle is the sporophyte generation.

2. **Identifying the Dominant Generation**:
- In pteridophytes, the sporophyte is the main and dominant plant body. This means that the sporophyte is the visible and functional part of the plant that carries out photosynthesis and growth.

3. **Role of Sporophylls**:
- Sporophylls are specialized leaves that bear sporangia (structures that produce spores). These sporophylls are crucial for the reproductive process in pteridophytes.

4. **Meiotic Division**:
- Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the formation of haploid cells. In pteridophytes, meiosis occurs within the sporangia.

5. **Formation of Spores**:
- During spore formation, the sporangia undergo meiotic division to produce haploid spores. This is the key point in the life cycle of pteridophytes where reduction division occurs.

6. **Development of Gametophyte**:
- The haploid spores released from the sporangia will germinate and develop into gametophytes, which are also haploid. The gametophyte generation is responsible for producing gametes (sperm and eggs).

7. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that reduction (meiotic) division in pteridophytes occurs during spore formation.

### Final Answer:
Reduction (meiotic) division in pteridophytes occurs during spore formation.

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