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Difficulty: HardThallophytes, Bryophytes, and Pteridophytes

During a botanical field study, a specimen is found possessing a small, independent, photosynthetic gametophyte called a prothallus, alongside a dominant sporophyte phase that features true roots and vascular tissues. Into which plant division should this organism be classified?

  1. A
    Bryophyta
  2. PteridophytaAnswer
  3. C
    Thallophyta
  4. D
    Fungi

Answer

Pteridophyta
Pteridophytes (such as ferns) are seedless vascular plants characterized by a dominant sporophyte generation equipped with vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) and true organs. Their gametophyte generation is a distinct, free-living, heart-shaped photosynthetic thallus termed a prothallus.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural features described in the stem
Identified vascular tissue (xylem and phloem), true roots, and a heart-shaped prothallus gametophyte.
Vascular plants with an independent prothallus gametophyte phase are characteristic of seedless vascular plants.
2
Compare life cycle phases across primitive plant divisions
Bryophytes are non-vascular with dominant gametophytes; Thallophytes lack tissue differentiation; Pteridophytes are vascular seedless plants with an independent prothallus.
Only Pteridophytes fulfill both criteria of having true vascular tissue and a free-living prothallus.

Key Concept

Alternation of generations and vascular tissue differentiation in Pteridophytes
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Thallophytes, Bryophytes, and Pteridophytes

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