Ferns exhibit both haploid and diploid phases during their life cycle. They are not exclusively one or the other.
Understanding the fern's life cycle is key to answering this question. According to the provided information:
- The life cycle of the fern has two different stages:
- Sporophyte: This stage releases spores. Sporophyte plants are diploid.
- Gametophyte: This stage releases gametes. Gametophyte plants are haploid.
Therefore, a fern plant, depending on which stage of its life cycle you are observing, can be either diploid or haploid.
The Two Stages of a Fern's Life
| Stage | Ploidy | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Sporophyte | Diploid | Produces spores |
| Gametophyte | Haploid | Produces gametes |
Most people recognize the fern in its larger, leafy sporophyte stage, which is diploid. This is the dominant and more visible part of the fern life cycle. The gametophyte stage is typically small, less conspicuous, and is haploid.
In summary, while the familiar fern frond is the diploid sporophyte, the fern life cycle also includes a distinct haploid gametophyte stage.
