Pteridophyte Classification & Features — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2023Identify the pair of heterosporous pteridophytes among the following:
Identify the pair of heterosporous pteridophytes among the following:
Match List-I with List-II: List I A. Pteropsida B. Lycopsida C. Psilopsida D. Sphenopsida List II I. Psilotum II. Equisetum III. Adiantum IV. Selaginella Choose the correct answer:
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — Selaginella and Salvinia
Selaginella and Salvinia are both heterosporous pteridophytes that produce two types of spores - microspores (male) and megaspores (female). NCERT mentions this as an advanced feature where different spores develop into male and female gametophytes. Lycopodium is homosporous, Psilotum and Equisetum are also homosporous producing only one type of spore.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
The pteridophytes are further classified into four classes: Psilopsida (Psilotum), Lycopsida (Selaginella, Lycopodium), Sphenopsida (Equisetum) and Pteropsida (Dryopteris, Pteris, Adiantum).
NTA tests this topic through questions on pteridophyte classes and their representative genera. Students often confuse which genus belongs to which class—for example, mixing up Selaginella (Lycopsida, heterosporous) with Lycopodium (Lycopsida, homosporous). The key trap: assuming all members of the same class share identical characteristics like spore type. To get it right, memorize that Lycopsida includes both homosporous (Lycopodium) and heterosporous (Selaginella) plants, while other classes like Sphenopsida (Equisetum) and Pteropsida (Dryopteris) have their distinct features. Focus on heterospory in Selaginella—it's frequently tested as a unique adaptation.
What does NCERT say about pteridophytes are further classified?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.