Sporofüüdid

Sporofüüdid are the diploid multicellular stage in the life cycle of plants and algae that alternates with a haploid gametophyte stage. This phenomenon is known as alternation of generations. The sporophyte generation is produced by the fusion of two gametes, resulting in a diploid organism. This sporophyte then produces haploid spores through meiosis. These spores, when they germinate, develop into the gametophyte generation. In many plant groups, the sporophyte is the dominant and more conspicuous generation. For example, in ferns, mosses, and seed plants, the familiar leafy plant is the sporophyte. In contrast, in some algae and simpler plants, the gametophyte may be the dominant generation. The sporophyte typically bears specialized structures called sporangia, where meiosis occurs to produce the haploid spores. The development and morphology of the sporophyte vary considerably across different plant lineages, reflecting their evolutionary history and adaptation to various environments. The alternation of sporophyte and gametophyte generations is a fundamental concept in understanding plant reproduction and evolution.