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Bryophytes and Pteridophytes produces a large number of male gametes but relatively very few female gametes. Why?

Both bryophytes and pteridophytes use water for the transfer of male gametes to the female gametes hence during this process many male gametes get destroyed or lost. Due to this bryophytes and pteridophytes produce male gametes in bulk so that if some get destroyed or lost there are some which can reach the female gamete intact and result in the fertilisation.

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This is because the plants belonging to these two groups are dependent on the availability of water which would take the male gametes to the female ones so as to cause fusion or fertilization. Now, most of the male gametes are destroyed while they're in the way only (think- there are a lot of enemies as water is ofcourse not a safe way). So, to overcome this, a lot of male gametes are released to increase the chances of fusion. This pathway also causes wastage of male gametes. Secondly, the female part is slightly acidic whereas the male gametes require a bit alkaline medium. So, most of the male gametes are also destroyed when they enter the female part. And, since female gamete is immotile and it has to do nothing, there is no need of wasting energy in producing lots of female gametes.

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