Prothallus in pteridophyte is -

Options

A. Nonvascular, haploid, multicellular small mostly photosynthetic thalloid gametophyte
B. Vascular, N, Multicellular sporophyte
C. 2N, Free-living gametophyte
D. Is thallus / plant body in same pteridophytes

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Prothallus**: Prothallus is the gametophyte stage in the life cycle of pteridophytes (ferns and their relatives). It is a small, multicellular structure that is typically photosynthetic.

2. **Characteristics of Prothallus**:
- **Non-Vascular**: Prothallus does not have vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) that are found in the sporophyte stage.
- **Haploid**: The prothallus is haploid, meaning it has a single set of chromosomes (n).
- **Multicellular**: It is made up of multiple cells.
- **Thaloid Structure**: The body of the prothallus is thalloid, which means it does not have differentiated roots, stems, or leaves like higher plants.
- **Photosynthetic**: It can perform photosynthesis to produce its own food.

3. **Formation of Prothallus**: The prothallus develops from spores that are produced by the sporophyte through the process of meiosis. When these spores germinate, they develop into the prothallus.

4. **Habitat**: Prothalli typically grow in cool, damp, and shady environments, which are conducive to their development and reproduction.

5. **Conclusion**: In summary, the prothallus in pteridophytes is a non-vascular, haploid, multicellular, mostly photosynthetic, thaloid gametophyte.

**Final Answer**: Prothallus in pteridophyte is a non-vascular haploid multicellular small mostly photosynthetic thaloid gametophyte.

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