Which one of the following is a correct statement?

Options

A. Origin of seed habit can be traced in pteridophytes
B. Pteridophyte gametophyte has a protonemal and leafy stage
C. In gymnosperms, female gametophyte is free-living
D. Antheridiophores and archegoniophores are present in pteridophytes

Answer

To determine which statement is correct regarding the plant kingdom, particularly focusing on pteridophytes, we can analyze each statement step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Analyze Statement 1: Origin of seed habit can be traced in pteridophytes.**
- Pteridophytes, which include ferns and horsetails, are primarily homosporous, meaning they produce one type of spore. However, some pteridophytes, like Salvinia and Selaginella, are heterosporous, producing two types of spores: megaspores and microspores.
- The megaspores develop into female gametophytes, while microspores develop into male gametophytes. The retention of the female gametophyte on the parent sporophyte and the development of the zygote into an embryo within the female gametophyte is indeed a precursor to the seed habit. Thus, this statement is correct.

2. **Analyze Statement 2: Pteridophyta gametophyte has protonimal and leafy stage.**
- The gametophyte stage of pteridophytes does have a protonema stage, but it is not universally true for all pteridophytes. The leafy stage is characteristic of some ferns, but not all pteridophytes exhibit this. Therefore, this statement is not universally correct.

3. **Analyze Statement 3: Female gametophyte is free living.**
- In pteridophytes, the female gametophyte is indeed retained on the parent sporophyte and is not free-living. In gymnosperms, both male and female gametophytes are also not free-living. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

4. **Analyze Statement 4: Antidiopores and Archiarchigoniopores are present in pteridophytes.**
- Antidiopores and archegonia are structures associated with bryophytes, not pteridophytes. Pteridophytes do have archegonia, but the term "Antidiopores" is not typically used in this context. Therefore, this statement is also incorrect.

### Conclusion:
The correct statement is **Statement 1: Origin of seed habit can be traced in pteridophytes.**

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