Which kind of life cycle pattern is shown by all seed-bearing plants?

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Seed-Bearing Plants**: Seed-bearing plants, also known as spermatophytes, include all plants that reproduce through seeds. This group encompasses both gymnosperms and angiosperms.

2. **Identifying Life Cycle Patterns**: All plants exhibit a life cycle that alternates between two generations: the sporophyte generation and the gametophyte generation.

3. **Defining Sporophyte and Gametophyte**:
- **Sporophyte**: This is the diploid (2n) phase of the plant's life cycle. It is the dominant generation in seed-bearing plants and is responsible for producing spores through meiosis.
- **Gametophyte**: This is the haploid (n) phase of the life cycle. In seed-bearing plants, the gametophyte is reduced and often exists within the sporophyte.

4. **Life Cycle Pattern**: The life cycle pattern exhibited by all seed-bearing plants is termed the **diplontic life cycle**. In this pattern:
- The sporophyte is the dominant form and is multicellular and diploid.
- The gametophyte is typically smaller, dependent on the sporophyte, and is haploid.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the life cycle pattern shown by all seed-bearing plants is the **diplontic life cycle**, characterized by a dominant sporophyte generation and a reduced gametophyte generation.

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