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Multiple Choice
Which structure on a moss is responsible for producing spores?
A
Protonema
B
Rhizoid
C
Leafy gametophyte
D
Sporangium (capsule)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the life cycle of mosses: Mosses have a life cycle that alternates between a haploid gametophyte stage and a diploid sporophyte stage. The sporophyte is responsible for producing spores.
Identify the structure responsible for spore production: In mosses, the sporangium (also called the capsule) is the part of the sporophyte that produces and releases spores through meiosis.
Clarify the roles of other structures: The protonema is an early stage of the gametophyte, the rhizoid anchors the moss to the substrate, and the leafy gametophyte is the main photosynthetic structure of the moss.
Relate the sporangium to its function: The sporangium is located at the top of the sporophyte and contains spore-producing cells. These cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores.
Conclude that the sporangium (capsule) is the correct answer: It is the specialized structure in mosses responsible for producing and dispersing spores.