NYSTCE 160 Biology Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The diploid phase of plants is referred to as the sporophyte. In the plant life cycle, the sporophyte generation is characterized by the presence of two sets of chromosomes (diploid) and is responsible for producing spores through meiosis. These spores are haploid, meaning they contain one set of chromosomes, and will eventually develop into the gametophyte phase, which is the haploid stage.

The sporophyte plays a crucial role in the alternation of generations, a fundamental process in the biology of plants. During this cycle, the sporophyte produces spores that germinate and grow into the gametophyte. This transition between the diploid sporophyte and the haploid gametophyte stages is essential for the reproductive strategy of plants, allowing them to produce offspring and adapt to their environments.

In contrast, the gametophyte phase refers to the haploid generation that emerges from the spores and produces gametes. The term "life cycle" is broader and encompasses the entire series of stages a plant goes through from germination to maturity, including both the sporophyte and gametophyte phases. Prothallus specifically denotes the gametophyte structure in ferns and other non-flowering