Final answer:
The Eusporangium is the type of sporangium known for producing a large number of spores in the sporophyte stage of plant life cycles. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of sporangium that produces a large number of spores is the Eusporangium. This type of sporangium develops from a group of epidermal cells, resulting in a relatively large structure compared to its counterpart, the Leptosporangium, which arises from a single epidermal cell and typically produces fewer spores.
The sporophyte stage of the plant life cycle is involved in producing these spores through a process called meiosis, where diploid cells divide to create haploid spores.
In summary, the Eusporangium is distinguished by its larger size and capacity to produce more spores, which are then released and dispersed in the environment, potentially leading to the germination and formation of new gametophytes, which support the next generation of sporophytes.
This is part of the continuous life cycle of plants that includes both sporophyte and gametophyte stages, where each plays a crucial role in reproduction and the survival of the species. The correct option is a.