Haploid, or gamete-producing, phase of an organism is called what?

Haploid, or gamete-producing, phase of an organism is called what?

• A. Gametophyte
• B. Sporophyte
• C. Zygote
• D. Embryo

Answer: (A)

The haploid, or gamete-producing, phase is called the gametophyte. In life cycles with alternation of generations, the gametophyte is the generation that makes gametes (sperm and eggs) by mitosis, maintaining the haploid chromosome number. The next stage, the sporophyte, is diploid and makes spores by meiosis, which can grow into new gametophytes. The zygote is the diploid cell formed when gametes fuse, and the embryo is the early multicellular development that follows fertilization.

The haploid, or gamete-producing, phase is called the gametophyte. In life cycles with alternation of generations, the gametophyte is the generation that makes gametes (sperm and eggs) by mitosis, maintaining the haploid chromosome number. The next stage, the sporophyte, is diploid and makes spores by meiosis, which can grow into new gametophytes. The zygote is the diploid cell formed when gametes fuse, and the embryo is the early multicellular development that follows fertilization.