A gymnosperm is in the sporophyte phase of its life cycle. Which of the following most likely happens next in the gymnosperm's life cycle?

Male pollen cones and female seed cones are produced on separate branches of the same tree.

Pollen fertilizes an egg and a fleshy fruit grows around the resulting embryo.

Spores are released into the environment and grow into male and female gametophytes.

Flagellated sperm swim to the egg and fertilize it to form a zygote.