In plant life cycles, which plants have a dominant gametophyte?

• A. Flowers and vines
• B. Trees and bushes
• C. Mosses and liverworts
• D. Grass and Bamboo

Answer: (C)

The main concept is whether the plant life cycle is dominated by the haploid gametophyte or the diploid sporophyte. In mosses and liverworts, the gametophyte is the prominent, long-lasting stage you typically see, while the sporophyte is smaller and usually depends on the gametophyte for nutrition. This makes mosses and liverworts gametophyte-dominant. In contrast, the other groups are vascular and have sporophyte-dominant life cycles, meaning the large, conspicuous plant is the sporophyte and the gametophyte is reduced or dependent (pollen and ovules in seed plants, tiny free-living gametophytes only in some ferns). Therefore, mosses and liverworts are the correct choice.