Sporophylls are specialized leaves that bear sporangia, the structures where spores are produced. They play a crucial role in the reproductive cycles of both seedless vascular plants and gymnosperms.
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In ferns, sporophylls are often found on the same plant as vegetative leaves.
Sporophylls can be organized into structures called strobili or cones in many seedless vascular plants and gymnosperms.
In gymnosperms like pine trees, sporophylls form the scales of male and female cones.
Sporophylls may contain either microsporangia (producing microspores) or megasporangia (producing megaspores), depending on the plant's reproductive strategy.
Many plants exhibit heterospory, where two distinct types of sporophylls produce different types of spores.
Review Questions
What is the primary function of sporophylls?
How do sporophylls differ between seedless vascular plants and gymnosperms?
What structures might you find associated with sporophylls in ferns and pine trees?
Related terms
Strobilus: A cone-like structure composed of multiple sporophylls arranged around a central axis.
Microspore: A type of spore produced by microsporophylls that develops into a male gametophyte.
Megaspore: A type of spore produced by megasporophylls that develops into a female gametophyte.