The reproduction of different plants can be classified into two distinct stages, sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction. In the process of evolution in the life of plants, expansion in the reproduction system of plants was changed, relying upon the complexity of the plant class. There are six classifications of plants based on the development of different plants. In many plants, sexual reproduction happens by two distinct stages called meiosis and fertilization. By the process of meiosis and fertilization, the life cycle of plants segregates into sporophyte and gametophyte generation. During the process of reproduction, these two stages occurring then again and thus called “Alternation of Generations.” In this article, we will explain the differences between these generations.

Sporophyte

A sporophyte is the diploid phase and has multicellular stages in a plant life cycle. It grows from zygote delivered when a haploid sperm fertilize a haploid cell, and every sporophyte cell consequently has two copies of every chromosome. The sporophyte is a phase in which spores are produced by the process called meiosis, or “reduction division” that decreases the number of chromosomes in every spore mother cell by half. The subsequent meiospores form into a gametophyte. Both spores and gametophyte are usually haploid, which means they just have one copy of every chromosome.

 Gametophyte

In the gametophyte phase, gametes are produced. This stage starts with the development of spores. Creation of spores occurring by meiosis and spores formed are haploid. Spores experience mitosis, and the cells of multicellular arrangement are additionally haploid. By the procedure called mitosis, this multicellular arrangement generates haploid female and male gametes. At the point when the female and male gametes are turned out, they intertwined, fertilized and results to diploid zygote.

Sporophyte VS Gametophyte

  • Offspring

The sporophyte is a phase which produces spores. Then these spores develop in gametophytes.

The gametophyte is a phase which produces gametes that includes sperms and eggs. Then these eggs and sperms grow in sporophytes.

  • Type of reproduction

The sporophyte is a phase where asexual reproduction is done.

The gametophyte is a phase where sexual reproduction is done.

  • Chromosomes

The sporophyte is usually diploid, that means, as its name shows, they carry two copies of every chromosome.

The gametophyte is mostly haploid, that means they carry only one copy of every chromosome.

  • Occurrence

In sporophyte, there is the formation of the zygote; that’s why they are diploid, i.e. 2N.

In gametophyte, there is the process of meiosis that occurs due to which they are haploid, i.e. N.

  • First cell

In sporophyte generation, the first cell is known as a diploid zygote.

In gametophyte generation, the first cell is the haploid spore.

  • Production

In sporophyte, megaspores and microspores are produced.

In gametophyte, male or female gametes are produced.

  • Classification of plants

In Psilophytes, Bryophytes and Lycophytes, the sporophyte depends on gametophyte stage whereas, in angiosperms, this stage is longer than gametophyte.

In Psilophytes, Bryophytes and Lycophytes, gametophyte phase is much longer than sporophyte while in angiosperms, this phase is smaller than sporophyte.

  • Cellular division

The sporophyte is a phase which reproduces through a process called “meiosis.”  Meiosis is a process which is more complicated as compared to mitosis, so sexual reproduction usually occurs through meiosis.

The gametophyte is a phase which reproduces through a process called “mitosis.” In mitosis, the division of cell is there, and then cell again arranges its number of chromosomes which leads to two cells, and these cells are usually genetically the same.

  • In Bryophytes

The sporophyte is depended on the gametophyte.

The gametophyte is independent and the dominant body of a plant.

  • In higher plants and Pteridophytes

The sporophyte dominates in higher plants and pteridophytes.

The gametophyte reduces in higher plants and pteridophytes.

Conclusion

From the above article, we come to know that sporophyte is a phase which produces spores, whereas gametophyte is a phase which produces gametes. The sporophyte is usually reproduced asexually; however, gametophyte usually reproduces sexually. Sporophyte phase is diploid due to development of zygote; however, the gametophyte phase is a haploid due to the process of meiosis. In sporophyte, the first cell is a diploid zygote, while in gametophyte it is the haploid spore. In psilophytes, bryophytes and lycophytes, the sporophyte depends on the gametophyte stage. In angiosperms, this stage is larger whereas in former, gametophyte phase is much longer and in later, this phase is smaller. Meiosis is there in sporophyte and mitosis is in the gametophyte. The main difference between both is the number of chromosomes. What is the main aspect for difference according to your point of view?

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