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Alternation of generations Definition and Explanation PDF | Download eBooks

Learn Alternation of generations definition in biology with explanation to study “What are Alternation of generations”. Study alternation of generations explanation with biology terms to review biology course for online degree programs.

Alternation of generations Definitions:

  1. Plants and some species of algae exhibit a type of life cycle called alternation of generations in which they exhibit both diploid and haploid stages.

    Campbell Biology by J.B. Reece, L.A. Urry, M.L. Cain, S.A. Wasserman, P.V. Minorsky, R.B. Jackson



  2. Alternation of generations is the alternation of multicellular haploid and diploid forms in certain organisms.

    Campbell Biology by J.B. Reece, L.A. Urry, M.L. Cain, S.A. Wasserman, P.V. Minorsky, R.B. Jackson



Alternation of generations Explanation:

Alternation of generations, which is also known as metagenesis, is the type of life cycle that occurs in those plants and algae in the Archaeplastida and the Heterokontophyta that have distinct sexual haploid and asexual diploid stages. In these groups, a multicellular gametophyte, which is haploid with n chromosomes, alternates with a multicellular sporophyte, which is diploid with 2n chromosomes, made up of n pairs. A mature sporophyte produces spores by meiosis, a process which reduces the number of chromosomes to half, from 2n to n. Alternation of generations is a type of life cycle found in terrestrial plants and some algae in which succeeding generations of individuals alternate between haploid and diploid organisms. This can be contrasted to sexual reproduction in animals, in which both haploid and diploid cells are found in every generation. This process does not happen in humans and rarely ever happens in any animals and is exclusive to plants only.

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