## Introduction

__Gymnosperms__, which translates as "<span id="q1"></span> seeds," are a diverse group of seed plants. According to the "<span id="q2"></span>" theory, gnetophytes are sister to conifers, making gymnosperms sister to angiosperms. 

Gymnosperm seeds are not encased in an ovary; they are only partially protected by modified leaves known as <span id="q3"></span>.
. You may recall that __Strobilus__ refers to a dense cluster of sporophylls surrounding a central stalk, as seen in pine cones. When certain seeds mature, they are encased by sporophyte tissues. The <span id="q4"></span> is the layer of sporophyte tissue that covers the megasporangium and, eventually, the embryo.

Characteristics of gymnosperms include naked seeds, male and female gametophytes, pollen cones and ovulation cones, wind and insect pollination, and tracheids (which transport water and solutes in the vascular system). They are classified into four phyla: *coniferophyta*, *cycadophyta*, *ginkophyta*, and *gnetophyta*.

---

### Life Cycle of Gymnosperms

__Gymnosperms__ are vascular plants that generate cone-shaped seeds. Conifers, such as pine and spruce trees, are examples. The sporophyte generation is prominent in the gymnosperm life cycle. On the sporophyte parent plant, both gametophytes and the following generation's young sporophytes develop. The graphic below depicts the life cycle of a gymnosperm. The gymnosperm life cycle follows the general plant life cycle, but with a few new adaptations.

![Gymnosperm Life Cycle](//images.ctfassets.net/4yflszkpcwkt/7yZFBf2H2TDHxvd5cyQObQ/10a0ebceba07510d617c29b851e93766/f-d_72f8cd5229dc9d55c1b253e2f0ee1c57ee2880dd13867f2bbc6cb7f2_IMAGE_THUMB_POSTCARD_TINY_IMAGE_THUMB_POSTCARD_TINY.1)
[Source](https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/9.20/primary/lesson/gymnosperm-life-cycle-bio/)

The life cycle of a gymnosperm occurs in several stages, as outlined below.

- On a mature __Sporophyte__ plant, cones develop. Male spores grow into male gametophytes inside male cones. Each male gametophyte is made up of numerous cells encased in a grain of __Pollen__. 

- Female spores mature into female gametophytes inside female cones. Each female gametophyte lays an <span id="q5"></span> within an <span id="q7"></span>.

- Pollen is transported from a male cone to a female cone during pollination. A <span id="q6"></span> __Zygote__ is formed when sperm travels from the pollen to an egg and fertilization occurs. 

- The zygote matures into an __Embryo__ within a seed, which emerges from the ovule within the female cone. If the seed germinates, it can develop into a full sporophyte tree, continuing the cycle.

![Conifer life cycle](//images.ctfassets.net/4yflszkpcwkt/2XORCfyCRZOD1CCywp7W69/da18b34e0f48464d19f709751854a328/Figure_26_02_01.png)
[Source](https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/gymnosperms/)

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"> <iframe title="Cone Producing Pine Cone" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; xr-spatial-tracking" xr-spatial-tracking execution-while-out-of-viewport execution-while-not-rendered web-share width="640" height="480" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/f5321d7b9ebb414781b427a73f005f36/embed?autostart=1&ui_animations=0&ui_infos=0&ui_stop=0&ui_inspector=0&ui_watermark_link=0&ui_watermark=0&ui_ar=0&ui_help=0&ui_settings=0&ui_vr=0&ui_fullscreen=0&ui_annotations=0"> </iframe> </div>

The <span id="q8"></span> sporophyte is the major autonomous photosynthetic process of the plant body during the diplontic life cycle. Diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes, while haploid cells only have one. The haploid process is reflected only in gametes. Instead of immediately splitting meiotically to make haploid cells, the zygote divides mitotically to produce a multicellular diploid person in gametic meiosis. Meiosis occurs when cells from diploid people undergo meiosis to form haploid cells or gametes.

In the haplontic life cycle, the *__haploid cell__* process is prominent. The zygotic meiosis yields haploid spores. These items will then break mitotically to make new haploids. Male and female gametes will give rise to these haploids. The 2n nucleus state (meaning there are two chromosomes present) exists  exclusively in the zygote throughout the haplontic life cycle, and it is very brief.

---

### ✅ Conclusion
- Gymnosperms are seed plants that generate naked seeds and are heterosporous. 

- The sporophyte generation is most prominent in the gymnosperm life cycle.

- The life cycle of a gymnosperm begins on a mature sporophyte plant. 

- Male spores grow into male gametophytes inside male cones. Each male gametophyte is encased in a grain of pollen. 

- Female spores mature into female gametophytes inside female cones. Each female gametophyte is encased in an egg within an ovule.

- During pollination, pollen is transported from the male to the female gametophyte where fertilization occurs, creating a zygote.

- The zygote matures into an embryo within a seed. If the seed germinates, it will develop into a full sphorophyte plant, and the cycle repeats.

---

### FAQs

__1. What is a characteristic of the life cycle of gymnosperms?__

Gymnosperms have both haploid and diploid life cycles, which means they reproduce through generational alternation. They go through a sporophyte-dominant cycle. The gametophyte stage lasts only a few days. Cones are commonly used as reproductive organs.

__2. Do gymnosperms show a diplontic life cycle?__

Gymnosperms are sporophytic and diploid in nature. Their gametes, however, are haploid. As a result, they have a diplontic life cycle. This is because the majority of their life cycle is diploid.

__3. Where does the gymnosperm life cycle take place?__

Gametophyte reproduction occurs in gymnosperms in the form of a cone that grows on the adult sporophyte plant. Each male gametophyte is only a few cells inside a pollen particle. Each female gametophyte lays an egg within an ovule.

__4. What stage of the gymnosperm life cycle is the most prevalent?__

Gymnosperms are vascular plants that generate cone-shaped seeds. Conifers, such as pine and spruce trees, are examples. The sporophyte generation is prominent in the gymnosperm life cycle. On the sporophyte parent plant, both gametophytes and the following generation's young sporophytes develop.

__5. How are gymnosperms pollinated?__

Pollen transfer from the male cone to the female cone occurs in gymnosperms. Self-pollination happens when pollen from the anther is deposited on the stigma of the same flower or another blossom on the same plant.

*We hope you enjoyed studying this lesson and learned something cool about the __Life Cycle of Gymnosperms__! Join our Discord community to get any questions you may have answered and to engage with other students just like you! Don't forget to download our App to experience our fun, VR classrooms - we promise, it makes studying much more fun!* 😎

## Sources  

1. Life Cycle of Gymnosperms. [https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/9.20/primary/lesson/gymnosperm-life-cycle-bio/](https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/9.20/primary/lesson/gymnosperm-life-cycle-bio/) Accessed 11 Dec, 2021. 

2. Gymnosperms. [https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/gymnosperms/](https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/gymnosperms/) Accessed 11 Dec, 2021. 

3. Pollination and Fertilization. [https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-biology2xmaster/chapter/pollination-and-fertilization/](https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-biology2xmaster/chapter/pollination-and-fertilization/) Accessed 11 Dec, 2021. 


If biology has always been a point of interest to you but you’ve never known where to start, or how to structure your learning, our study guides are your best bet! Our General Biology study guides cover popular, important topics that can supplement your learning journey. Each guide also links out to its supporting VR-based classroom on the Inspirit App to make the educational experience more engaging and fun!

Life Cycle of Gymnosperms Study Guide

Plant Biology

Study the fascinating world of the plant kingdom learn about their structures, reproductive and growth processes. All of this delivered to you with our engaging 3D models.