Some statements are given below :-
(a) In gymnosperms the male and the female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence
(b) In Cycas foliage leaves are pinnately compound
(c) The stems are branched in Pinus and Cedrus
(d) In Pinus, male cones and female cones are borne on different trees. Out of them, which statements are correct ?

Options

A. a, b
B. a, b, c
C. c, d
D. a, b, c, d

Answer

To determine which statements about gymnosperms are correct, we will analyze each statement one by one.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Statement (a)**: "In gymnosperms the male and the female gametophytes do not have an independent free-living existence."
- **Analysis**: This statement is true. In gymnosperms, the male gametophyte (pollen grain) and the female gametophyte (embryo sac) develop within the sporangia and remain attached to the parent sporophyte. They do not exist independently.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (a) is correct.

2. **Statement (b)**: "In Cycas foliage leaves are pinnately compound."
- **Analysis**: This statement is also true. The foliage leaves of Cycas are indeed pinnately compound, meaning they have leaflets arranged along a central stem.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (b) is correct.

3. **Statement (c)**: "The stems are branched in Pinus and Cedrus."
- **Analysis**: This statement is true as well. Both Pinus (pine) and Cedrus (cedar) have branched stems, which is a characteristic feature of these genera.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (c) is correct.

4. **Statement (d)**: "In Pinus, male cones and female cones are borne on different trees."
- **Analysis**: This statement is false. In Pinus, both male cones (strobili) and female cones are found on the same tree, making them monoecious.
- **Conclusion**: Statement (d) is incorrect.

### Final Conclusion:
The correct statements are (a), (b), and (c). Therefore, the correct answer is that statements (a), (b), and (c) are correct.