WB01343_.gif (599 bytes)     Fern Reproductive Cycle     WB01345_.gif (616 bytes)

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Most Ferns bear Sporangia on their lower surfaces. These are often grouped into areas which are called a Sorus.

     SorusCloseUp240.jpg (36409 bytes)FernSporangiumWWWLabMod300.jpg (47549 bytes)

Meiosis occurs inside the Sporangium and produces Haploid Meiospores

      FernSporeMicroLab.jpg (13093 bytes) GametophyteRhizLab300.jpg (52471 bytes)   FernGametoGTangiaLab.jpg (114913 bytes)

Ferns are Homosporous & produceFernGametoLab.jpg (132406 bytes) one type of Spore.

The Spores germinate and produce Photosynthetic Gametophytes.

These produce Rhizoids which absorb Water and provide anchorage.   

An Apical Cell develops and resides in the Apical Notch.

Gametangia

Antheridia are produced first and are found amid the Rhizoids.

FernGametoAnthLowMag.jpg (58097 bytes) Globular Antheridia occur on the lower side of the gametophyte.
FernAntherModLab.jpg (35963 bytes) AntherididaOsmundaCropModLab.jpg (7056 bytes)
FernAnthSpermLab.jpg (18292 bytes) FernAnthSpermReleaseLab.jpg (19812 bytes)
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The Sperm have many Flagella

Archegonia are produced later and are found near the Apical Notch.

ArchegoniaOsmundaLab.jpg (44844 bytes) FernArchMicroLab.jpg (83036 bytes)
Once Fertilization occurs the Embryo develops within the Archegonium in a Prone orientation.
FernZygoteDiag.jpg (24568 bytes)
Embryo250Lab.jpg (30164 bytes)
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The Shoot Apical Meristem Produces Simple Leaves and a Root develops opposite the Shoot
GametoSporoBlackBack240Lab.jpg (24193 bytes)
The Sporophyte continues to grow while the Gametophyte dies.
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FernLifeCycleLab500.jpg (160551 bytes)

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