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Difficulty: MediumEvolutionary Trends and Adaptive Features in Organisms

As plants evolved from primitive aquatic thallophytes to advanced terrestrial forms, significant structural and physiological modifications occurred to facilitate survival on land. Which of the following statements correctly identifies a major evolutionary trend in plant adaptive features?

  1. The transition from gametophyte dominance to sporophyte dominance with true vascular tissue and a waxy cuticleAnswer
  2. B
    The evolution of true lignified xylem and phloem vessels within the gametophytes of bryophytes to enhance water conduction
  3. C
    The development of enclosed fleshy fruits surrounding the seeds of gymnosperms to protect them from desiccation
  4. D
    The incorporation of peptidoglycan into plant cell walls to provide mechanical rigidity in upright stems

Answer

The transition from gametophyte dominance to sporophyte dominance with true vascular tissue and a waxy cuticle
The evolution of land plants is characterized by a shift in life cycle dominance from the haploid gametophyte to the diploid sporophyte. Advanced land plants evolved specialized vascular tissues (xylem for water transport and phloem for organic food transport) as well as a waxy cuticle covering surfaces to minimize water loss.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the major evolutionary trends in plant structural adaptation from aquatic to terrestrial habitats.
Primitive aquatic plants (algae) relied on water support and simple diffusion across all cells.
Terrestrial transition required structural support, desiccation prevention, and internal transport systems.
2
Evaluate the morphological modifications across plant divisions (Thallophytes → Bryophytes → Pteridophytes → Spermatophytes).
Evolution favored a reduced gametophyte phase and a dominant sporophyte equipped with a protective waxy cuticle, stomata, and lignified vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).
A dominant vascular sporophyte allows upright growth and efficient transport of water and nutrients in terrestrial environments.

Key Concept

Evolutionary Trends in Plant Adaptations to Land
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Evolutionary Trends and Adaptive Features in Organisms

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