Question

Does the life cycle of humans have any structures analogous to plant gametophytes? Explain your answer. (See Figures 13.5 and 13.6.)

Short answer

Animal life cycles do not have the same structure as plant gametophytes. As in mammals, there is no gametophyte equivalent. Animals do not have a multicellular haploid stage or phase in their gametic life cycle.

Step-by-step solution

Life cycle

During an organism's life, it goes through a series of changes known as the life cycle. A mortal life begins with birth and ends with death. The cycle starts with creation, continues through dissolution, and includes innumerable births and deaths.

Analogous structure

Structures with similar functions but distinct evolutionary histories are analogous. Convergent evolution occurs when related structures are adapted to perform similar roles. This structure has a superficial resemblance. Different stages of development have comparable structures.

Gametophytes

A gametophyte is a structure or phase of a multicellular organism with only one pair of chromosomes. A gametophyte creates either male or female gametes during mitosis (or both). Male and female gametes join to produce a diploid zygote through recurrent mitotic cell divisions.

Meiosis does not form sex cells in gametophytes, unlike mammals and other organisms that reproduce sexually. A gametophyte organism is made up of haploid cells, which have just one copy of each chromosome.