Alternation of Generations

Metagenesis, also known as alternation of generations, is a type of life cycle in which organisms alternate between haploid and diploid generations. In plants, it occurs as follows:

1. The sporophyte (diploid) generation produces spores through meiosis
2. Spores germinate to form gametophytes (haploid)
3. Gametophytes produce gametes through mitosis
4. Gametes fuse to form a zygote, which develops into a sporophyte

This cycle is seen in plants like mosses, ferns, and some algae. In flowering plants, the gametophyte generation is highly reduced.