Question

External Fertilization occurs in the majority of
(a) Algae
(b) Fungi
(c) Liverworts
(d) Mosses

Answer 1

Hint: They exist in environments ranging from oceans, rivers, and lakes to ponds, brackish waters, and even snow. They are photosynthetic organisms usually green, but they can be found in a variety of different colors.

Complete step by step answer:
External Fertilization occurs in the majority of algae. External fertilization takes place mostly in wet environments and needs both the male and the female to release their gametes into their surroundings (usually water) . An advantage of external fertilization is that it leads to the assembly of an outsized number of offspring. One disadvantage is that environmental hazards like predators greatly reduce the prospect of surviving into adulthood. Amphibians and fish, aquatic animals are also examples of animals that reproduce this way.

Additional information: Fertilization that happens outside the body of an organism is understood as external fertilization. It basically needs a water body for successful fertilization. The sperms and eggs are secreted in an external environment. External fertilization usually occurs during spawning when the female releases the egg and the male releases the sperm within the same environment. External fertilization in an aquatic environment saves the drying up of eggs. Broadcast spawning results in higher genetic diversity because of a bigger mixing of genes within a bunch. The possibility of survival of the species also increases. For organisms like sponges, transmit spawning is the only action for fertilization. Millions of eggs are secreted by individuals because many fail by predation.
So, the correct answer is ‘Algae’.

Note: The success rate of fertilization is very low. Unlike internal fertilization, an outsized number of gametes has to be produced by the male and female to make sure reproductive success. A water body is needed to start external fertilization. The sperms would die on land. They do not require the involvement of any hormones or mating rituals.