Final answer:
The dominant stage in pteridophytes is the sporophyte stage, not the gametophyte stage, which is a common characteristic of most seedless vascular plants. The gametophyte stage is reduced and less conspicuous in these plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the dominant stage of the pteridophyte's life cycle is the gametophyte stage is false. In pteridophytes, which include ferns and their relatives, it is the sporophyte stage that is dominant. This is true for most seedless vascular plants, where the sporophyte phase constitutes the large, conspicuous plant typically recognized in the landscape. The gametophyte stage in pteridophytes, while it is free-living and independent, is generally smaller and less conspicuous compared to the sporophyte.
Throughout the evolution of plants, there has been a trend towards a greater dominance of the sporophyte stage. This evolutionary transition reflects the various adaptations plants have made for life on land, despite the need for water during the reproductive process in both bryophytes and pteridophytes due to flagellated sperm. The gametophyte stage is notable and dominant only in the non-vascular plants, like mosses, where it forms the green photosynthetic carpets commonly seen in moist environments.