Moss-Fern Life cycle online exercise for - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Moss-Fern Life cycle online exercise for. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Moss-Fern Life cycle online exercise for
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Moss-Fern Life cycle online exercise for
The image shows the life cycles of moss and fern, two types of non-flowering plants that reproduce via spores. Below is a step-by-step explanation of each plant's life cycle, along with the correct sequence for filling in the numbered table.
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1. Spores are released from the adult plant
→ The mature moss plant has a spore capsule at the end of a thin brown stalk. These capsules release spores into the environment.
2. A new moss plant grows from the spore
→ A spore lands in a suitable environment and germinates to grow into a small, heart-shaped gametophyte (the young moss plant).
3. Adult moss plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg
→ The mature moss plant develops structures that produce sperm (in antheridia) and eggs (in archegonia).
4. The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases
→ Sperm swims through water to reach the egg. After fertilization, a zygote forms and grows into a sporophyte (the tall stalk with spore capsule).
5. Moss spores grow in the capsule at the end of a long stalk, thousands of spores are ready to be released
→ The sporophyte produces spores inside the capsule. When mature, these spores are released to start the cycle again.
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1. Spores are released from the adult plant
→ Mature fern fronds (leaves) have spore-producing structures called sori on their underside. Spores are released when mature.
2. A heart-shaped plant grows from the spore
→ The spore germinates and grows into a small, heart-shaped plant called a prothallus (gametophyte). This is not the adult fern but the reproductive stage.
3. A heart-shaped plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg
→ The prothallus produces sperm (in antheridia) and eggs (in archegonia).
4. The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases
→ Sperm must swim through water to reach the egg. After fertilization, the zygote grows into a new fern plant (sporophyte).
5. Mature fronds produce spores
→ The adult fern plant grows and develops fronds. These fronds produce spores again, continuing the cycle.
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We need to match the steps correctly for Moss and Fern in the numbered rows.
| # | Moss | Fern |
|----|------|------|
| 1 | Spores are released from the adult plant | Spores are released from the adult plant |
| 2 | A new moss plant grows from the spore | A heart-shaped plant grows from the spore |
| 3 | Adult moss plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg | A heart-shaped plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg |
| 4 | The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases | The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases |
| 5 | Moss spores grow in the capsule at the end of a long stalk, thousands of spores are ready to be released | Mature fronds produce spores |
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- Both moss and ferns reproduce using spores.
- They require water for sperm to swim to the egg (so they are dependent on moist environments).
- The adult plant is the sporophyte (produces spores), while the heart-shaped plant (prothallus in ferns, or young moss) is the gametophyte (produces gametes).
- In moss, the sporophyte is attached to the gametophyte and has a long stalk with a capsule.
- In ferns, the gametophyte is independent (heart-shaped), but short-lived.
✔ This completes the worksheet by matching the stages of the life cycles correctly.
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🔹 Life Cycle of Moss
1. Spores are released from the adult plant
→ The mature moss plant has a spore capsule at the end of a thin brown stalk. These capsules release spores into the environment.
2. A new moss plant grows from the spore
→ A spore lands in a suitable environment and germinates to grow into a small, heart-shaped gametophyte (the young moss plant).
3. Adult moss plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg
→ The mature moss plant develops structures that produce sperm (in antheridia) and eggs (in archegonia).
4. The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases
→ Sperm swims through water to reach the egg. After fertilization, a zygote forms and grows into a sporophyte (the tall stalk with spore capsule).
5. Moss spores grow in the capsule at the end of a long stalk, thousands of spores are ready to be released
→ The sporophyte produces spores inside the capsule. When mature, these spores are released to start the cycle again.
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🔹 Life Cycle of Fern
1. Spores are released from the adult plant
→ Mature fern fronds (leaves) have spore-producing structures called sori on their underside. Spores are released when mature.
2. A heart-shaped plant grows from the spore
→ The spore germinates and grows into a small, heart-shaped plant called a prothallus (gametophyte). This is not the adult fern but the reproductive stage.
3. A heart-shaped plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg
→ The prothallus produces sperm (in antheridia) and eggs (in archegonia).
4. The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases
→ Sperm must swim through water to reach the egg. After fertilization, the zygote grows into a new fern plant (sporophyte).
5. Mature fronds produce spores
→ The adult fern plant grows and develops fronds. These fronds produce spores again, continuing the cycle.
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✔ Correct Answers for the Table
We need to match the steps correctly for Moss and Fern in the numbered rows.
| # | Moss | Fern |
|----|------|------|
| 1 | Spores are released from the adult plant | Spores are released from the adult plant |
| 2 | A new moss plant grows from the spore | A heart-shaped plant grows from the spore |
| 3 | Adult moss plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg | A heart-shaped plant produces male and female sex cells – sperm and egg |
| 4 | The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases | The sperm fertilizes the egg, and it develops into an adult plant with spore cases |
| 5 | Moss spores grow in the capsule at the end of a long stalk, thousands of spores are ready to be released | Mature fronds produce spores |
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📌 Summary
- Both moss and ferns reproduce using spores.
- They require water for sperm to swim to the egg (so they are dependent on moist environments).
- The adult plant is the sporophyte (produces spores), while the heart-shaped plant (prothallus in ferns, or young moss) is the gametophyte (produces gametes).
- In moss, the sporophyte is attached to the gametophyte and has a long stalk with a capsule.
- In ferns, the gametophyte is independent (heart-shaped), but short-lived.
✔ This completes the worksheet by matching the stages of the life cycles correctly.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of fern life cycle worksheet.
