The diploid cells of gametophyte in Selaginella gives rise to diploid sporophyte. Identify the name of the process involved.

Options

A. Apogamy
B. Apospory
C. Fragmentation
D. Protonema

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Terms**: In the context of Selaginella, we need to identify the roles of gametophyte and sporophyte. The gametophyte is the haploid stage, while the sporophyte is the diploid stage of the plant life cycle.

2. **Identifying the Process**: The question states that diploid cells of the gametophyte give rise to a diploid sporophyte. This indicates that the process does not involve meiosis (which would typically produce haploid spores), but rather involves the division of diploid cells.

3. **Recognizing the Type of Division**: The division of diploid cells to produce more diploid cells is indicative of mitosis. Mitosis is the process by which a single cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells, maintaining the same ploidy level.

4. **Eliminating Other Processes**:
- **Apogamy**: This is a process where a new sporophyte develops from the gametophyte without fertilization. While it involves the gametophyte, it does not directly relate to the diploid cell division.
- **Apospory**: This refers to the formation of a gametophyte from sporophyte tissue without meiosis. This is not relevant to our question.
- **Fragmentation**: This is a form of asexual reproduction where a part of the organism breaks off and develops into a new organism. This is not applicable here as we are discussing the development of a sporophyte from a gametophyte.
- **Protonema**: This is the early stage of moss development and does not apply to Selaginella.

5. **Conclusion**: The correct process involved when diploid cells of the gametophyte give rise to a diploid sporophyte is **mitosis**.

**Final Answer**: Mitosis

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