Practice question

Plants evolved multicellular gametangia termed antheridia and archegonia enclosing gametes within one or more layers of sterile jacket cells protecting against environmental stress. This architecture protects developing spermatozoids and eggs from desiccation, mechanical abrasion, UV and microbial attack during terrestrial reproduction when exposed to air. Unlike unicellular gametangia of algae releasing gametes directly into ambient water film, jacket cells retain internal moisture and facilitate internal fertilization by chemotaxis. Spore or seed dispersal and food storage involve sporophytic structures like sporangia and endosperm, not gametangial function.