Answer:
The sporophyte of a vascular plant is nutritionally independent; the sporophyte of a nonvascular plant is nutritionally dependent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vascular plants, such as ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, have a well-developed vascular system composed of xylem and phloem. This allows them to transport water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. The sporophyte, which is the diploid stage in the plant's life cycle, is capable of photosynthesis and can produce its own food through photosynthetic processes. Therefore, the sporophyte of a vascular plant is nutritionally independent.
Nonvascular plants, such as mosses and liverworts, lack a well-developed vascular system. They rely on direct diffusion for the exchange of water, nutrients, and sugars between their cells and the environment. The sporophyte of a nonvascular plant is dependent on the gametophyte, which is the haploid stage in the plant's life cycle. The sporophyte of a nonvascular plant lacks chlorophyll and is unable to carry out photosynthesis to produce its own food. It relies on the gametophyte for nutrition, obtaining nutrients from it. Therefore, the sporophyte of a nonvascular plant is nutritionally dependent.
To summarize:
- The sporophyte of a vascular plant is nutritionally independent because it can produce its own food through photosynthesis.
- The sporophyte of a nonvascular plant is nutritionally dependent because it relies on the gametophyte for nutrition and cannot carry out photosynthesis.