Which of the following group does not have free living gametophyte-

Options

A. Bryophytes only
B. Pteridophytes only
C. Gymnosperms only
D. Gymnosperms + Angiosperms

Answer

To determine which group does not have a free-living gametophyte, we can analyze the characteristics of each group mentioned in the question: Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Gametophytes**:
- Gametophytes are the haploid phase in the plant life cycle that produces gametes (sperm and eggs).

2. **Analyzing Bryophytes**:
- Bryophytes, which include mosses and liverworts, have a dominant gametophyte stage.
- The gametophyte is free-living and photosynthetic, meaning it can survive independently.

3. **Analyzing Pteridophytes**:
- Pteridophytes, such as ferns, also have a free-living gametophyte known as the prothallus.
- The prothallus is photosynthetic and can live independently of the sporophyte.

4. **Analyzing Gymnosperms**:
- Gymnosperms produce seeds that are not enclosed in an ovary (naked seeds).
- In Gymnosperms, the gametophyte is reduced and dependent on the sporophyte for nutrition and support, meaning it is not free-living.

5. **Analyzing Angiosperms**:
- Angiosperms are flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within an ovary.
- Similar to Gymnosperms, the gametophytes in Angiosperms are also dependent on the sporophyte and are not free-living.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Since both Gymnosperms and Angiosperms have dependent gametophytes, the correct answer to the question is that the group that does not have a free-living gametophyte is **Gymnosperms and Angiosperms**.

### Final Answer:
**Gymnosperms and Angiosperms do not have free-living gametophytes.**

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