A gametophyte is a stage in the life cycle of plants and some algae, characterized by the production of gametes, which are reproductive cells. In the alternation of generations, the gametophyte is typically haploid, meaning it has one set of chromosomes. This stage develops from spores and can be found in various forms, such as the moss Bryophyta gametophyte, which is often leafy and green. In contrast to the gametophyte, the sporophyte is the diploid stage that produces spores through meiosis. In many plants, including ferns and flowering plants, the gametophyte is reduced in size and often dependent on the sporophyte for nutrition. Understanding the gametophyte is essential for studying plant reproduction and evolution.