During the moss life cycle, there is an alternation of generations, between saprophyte and gametophyte. the sporophyte has the diploid or 2n chromosome number while the gametophyte is haploid or n. what process produces the 2n sporophyte in the moss life cycle? a) meiosis b) mitosis c) fertilization d) differentiation

C (fertilization)

Explanation:

ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS is a vivid phenomenon in the life cycle of moss. The diploid sporophyte (2n) produces haploid spores (n), which develops into a bud called protonema that eventually grows into the haploid gametophyte (n).

The male gametophyte called ANTHERIDIUM produces the haploid (n) sperms/antherozoids while the female gametophyte called ARCHEGONIUM produces the haploid (n) egg. The sperm swims to the archegonium (female gametophyte) and fertilizes the egg. This fertilization process results in the formation of a diploid sporophyte (2n) i.e. sperm(n) + egg(n).

The sporophyte produces spores again and the cycle continues in that manner.