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Explain how mosses reproduce sexually.

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

Sexual reproduction in mosses follows this sequence:

  1. Antheridia release biflagellated antherozoids into water
  2. Antherozoids swim chemotactically toward archegonia
  3. Fertilization occurs when an antherozoid fuses with the egg cell
  4. The resulting zygote develops into a multicellular sporophyte consisting of:
    • Foot (absorbs nutrients from gametophyte)
    • Seta (stalk)
    • Capsule (produces spores via meiosis)
  5. Haploid spores disperse and germinate into protonema, which develops into the gametophyte
General · Class 12