4 Answers
Heterospory is a phenomenon in which two kinds of spores are borne by the same plant. These spores differ in size. The smaller one is known as microspore and the larger one is known as megaspore. The microspore germinates to form the male gametophyte and the megaspore germinates to form the female gametophyte. The male gametophyte releases the male gametes and these reach the female gametophyte to fuse with the egg. The development of the zygote takes place inside the female gametophyte.
This retention and germination of the megaspore within the megasporangium ensures proper development of the zygote. The zygote develops into the future sporophyte. The evolution of the seed habit is related to the retention of the megaspore.
Heterospory is thus considered an important step in evolution as it is a precursor to the seed habit.
Heterospory evolved first in pteridophytes such as Selaginella and Salvinia.
Some pteriophytes are heterosporous, e.g. Selaginella and Salvinia. In heterospory, the megaspore germinates to produce female gametophyte, while the microspore germinates to produce the male gametophyte. This event is a precursor of the seed habit in higher plants.
Pteridophytes produce two kinds of spores. This phenomena is called heterospory.
The microspore is reduced/small male gametophytes produced whereas megaspores are bigger female gametophytes produced. The development of the zygotes into embryos take place within the female gametophytes. This event is a precursor to the seed habit considered as an important step in evolution.
Certain pteridophytes produce two kinds of spores. This phenomenon is called heterospory.