Which of the following is deemed to be vital in the development of seed habit?

Options

A. Heterospony
B. Dependent sporophyte
C. Free-living gametophyte
D. Haplontic life cycle

Answer

To determine which of the following is vital in the development of seed habit, we need to analyze the options provided: Heterospory, Dependent Sporophyte, Free Living Gametophyte, and Haplontic Life Cycle.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Seed Habit**:
- Seed habit refers to the evolutionary development of seeds, which are crucial for the reproduction and survival of many plant species.

2. **Identifying the Options**:
- The options given are:
- Heterospory
- Dependent Sporophyte
- Free Living Gametophyte
- Haplontic Life Cycle

3. **Exploring Heterospory**:
- Heterospory is the production of two different types of spores: megaspores (female) and microspores (male). This is significant because it leads to the development of distinct male and female gametophytes.

4. **Role of Heterospory in Seed Development**:
- In heterosporous plants, the female gametophyte is retained on the parent sporophyte, allowing for fertilization and subsequent development of the zygote into an embryo. This retention is a critical step in the evolution of seeds.

5. **Examining Other Options**:
- **Dependent Sporophyte**: While this refers to the sporophyte generation relying on the gametophyte, it does not directly lead to seed formation.
- **Free Living Gametophyte**: This indicates that the gametophyte can live independently, which is not a characteristic of seed plants.
- **Haplontic Life Cycle**: This refers to a life cycle where the haploid phase is dominant. It is not directly related to seed development.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, **Heterospory** is the vital process in the development of seed habit. It allows for the retention of the female gametophyte and the development of the zygote into an embryo, which are essential steps in seed formation.

### Final Answer:
Heterospory is deemed to be vital in the development of seed habit.

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