Final answer:
In the life cycle of a fern, the sporophyte generation is dominant. It produces spores that develop into tiny, heart-shaped gametophytes. Gametophytes have antheridia and archegonia, and fertilization occurs when sperm swim to an egg inside an archegonium.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the life cycle of a fern, the sporophyte generation is dominant. A mature sporophyte fern has the familiar leafy fronds. The undersides of the leaves are dotted with clusters of sporangia. Sporangia produce spores that develop into tiny, heart-shaped gametophytes. Gametophytes have antheridia and archegonia. Antheridia produce sperm with many cilia; archegonia produce eggs. Fertilization occurs when sperm swim to an egg inside an archegonium. The resulting zygote develops into an embryo that becomes a new sporophyte plant. Then the cycle repeats.