In complex land plants, the diploid stage is resistant to adverse environmental conditions, such as dwindling water supplies and cold weather. The diploid stage progresses through which sequence?

A) gametophyte → male and female gametes
B) spores → sporophyte
C) zygote → sporophyte
D) zygote → gametophyte
E) spores → gametophyte

Diploid Stage

A phase in an organism's life cycle where its cells contain two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

Adverse Environmental

Conditions or factors in the environment that can cause harm or negative effects on living organisms or ecosystems.

Sporophyte

The diploid, spore-producing phase in the life cycle of a plant that alternates with the haploid gametophyte phase.