How is alternation of generations different in ferns and conifers?

Alternation of Generation in Non-seedbearing Tracheophytes

(Club Mosses, Horsetails, Ferns) --- All nonseed tracheophytes reproduce by means of spores. The sexual reproduction lifecycle shows an alternation of generations between gametophyte and sporophyte generations just as in the nontracheophytes, however, in the tracheophytes (nonseed and seed), the diploid sporophyte generation is dominant, not the gametophyte generation. The leafy green plant you think of when you think of ferns, for example, is the sporophyte generation. Gametophytes of nonseed tracheophytes are very tiny, but are free living (live separately from the parent sporophyte). Water is still required for the sperm to reach the egg in nonseed tracheophytes.



Reproduction in Gymnosperms ------ Gymnosperms include cycads, gingkos, conifers, and gnetophytes. All of these species produce seeds that are covered by a seed coat but not a fruit. These species DO NOT produce flowers. All produce pollen, which can be transported either by the wind, or by wind and insects in some species. Pollen makes it unnecessary for the plant to live in a moist environment; the sperm no longer needs water to swim to the egg, rather the whole male gametophyte (pollen grain) is transported to the female. Gymnosperm gametophytes are smaller than those in the nonseed tracheophytes, and are not free-living. This reproductive cycle still shows alternation of generations, however the haploid gametophyte is very reduced in size and no longer lives independently of the sporophyte.

How is alternation of generations different in ferns and conifers?
in ferns both the generations are independent of each other and autotrophic and photosynthetic



In conifers , the gametophyte is greatly reduced and it is dependent on the sporophyte for its nutrition