gametofyytteihin

Gametophyte is a term used in botany to describe the haploid stage in the life cycle of plants and algae. This stage is characterized by producing gametes, the reproductive cells. Following fertilization, where two gametes fuse, the resulting diploid zygote develops into the sporophyte, the alternative generation in the life cycle. The gametophyte generation is typically the dominant and more visible form in lower plants like mosses and liverworts. In contrast, in higher plants such as ferns, seed plants, and flowering plants, the gametophyte is greatly reduced and often microscopic, residing within specialized structures of the sporophyte. The development of the gametophyte from a haploid spore is a key event in alternation of generations, a fundamental concept in plant reproduction. The gametophyte's primary role is to produce gametes through mitosis. Its structure and longevity vary significantly across different plant groups.