Fern gametophyte is nutritionally

Options

A. Saprophyte
B. Parasite
C. Chemoautotroph
D. Photoautotroph.

Answer

To determine the nutritional mode of the fern gametophyte, we can analyze the options provided and the characteristics of fern gametophytes.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Nutritional Modes**:
- **Saprophyte**: Organisms that feed on dead and decaying matter.
- **Parasite**: Organisms that derive nutrients from a living host.
- **Chemoautotrophs**: Organisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances.
- **Autotrophs**: Organisms that produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
- **Photoautotrophs**: A subset of autotrophs that use sunlight to synthesize food.

2. **Characteristics of Ferns**:
- Ferns are vascular plants that reproduce via spores rather than seeds or flowers.
- The gametophyte stage of ferns is typically small and often grows in moist environments.

3. **Nutritional Mode of Fern Gametophyte**:
- The fern gametophyte is known to grow on decaying organic matter, which indicates that it derives its nutrients from dead and decaying organisms.
- This aligns with the definition of a saprophyte.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the above analysis, the fern gametophyte is nutritionally a **saprophyte**.

### Final Answer:
The fern gametophyte is nutritionally a **saprophyte**.

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