Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which stage of a bryophyte life cycle is diploid?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
bryophyte
Bryophyte moss growing on oak trees.
In the life cycle of a bryophyte, the stage that is diploid (having two sets of chromosomes) is the sporophyte.12
The bryophyte life cycle involves an alternation of generations between two distinct phases:
- Sporophyte (Diploid): This phase begins with the formation of a diploid zygote following fertilization. The zygote undergoes mitotic divisions to develop into the multicellular sporophyte, which eventually produces spores through meiosis.134
- Gametophyte (Haploid): This is the dominant phase in bryophytes. It develops from haploid spores and produces gametes (eggs and sperm) through mitosis.123
While the gametophyte is the dominant, independent stage in bryophytes, the sporophyte remains physiologically dependent on the gametophyte throughout its development.24