Which of the following statements is true with respect to protonema?
a-it gives rise to sporophyte.
b-it produces male gametes.
c-it gives rise to gametophyte.

The answer is letter C.

Protonema or Protonemata in plural form, refers to the thread-like chains of cells that form during the haploid phase of a bryophyte cycle. They give rise to gametophytes much like in the growth of moss which originates from spores that eventually develop into a leafy gametophore. Simply put, a protonema is a juvenile gametophyte that grows through an apical cell division. This then eventually grows into its adult form developing stems and leaf like structures that are photosynthetic.

The answer is observations and interpreting.