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Difficulty: MediumSpermatophytes: Gymnosperms and Angiosperms

During a microscopic examination of plant vascular tissues, a student observes that Plant X contains phloem with sieve tube elements accompanied by specialized companion cells, whereas Plant Y contains phloem with sieve cells and albuminous cells but lacks companion cells. Which of the following correctly identifies the taxonomic groups of Plant X and Plant Y?

  1. Plant X is an angiosperm, while Plant Y is a gymnospermAnswer
  2. B
    Plant X is a gymnosperm, while Plant Y is an angiosperm
  3. C
    Plant X is a bryophyte, while Plant Y is a pteridophyte
  4. D
    Plant X is a pteridophyte, while Plant Y is a bryophyte

Answer

Plant X is an angiosperm, while Plant Y is a gymnosperm.
The presence of companion cells alongside sieve tube elements is a key anatomical distinction of angiosperm phloem. In contrast, gymnosperms rely on less specialized sieve cells associated with albuminous cells for food conduction and do not possess companion cells.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phloem composition of Plant X
Plant X possesses sieve tube elements and companion cells.
Companion cells perform metabolic functions for sieve tube elements in angiosperms (flowering seed plants).
2
Examine the phloem composition of Plant Y
Plant Y possesses sieve cells and albuminous cells, lacking companion cells.
Gymnosperms (non-flowering seed plants) use sieve cells and albuminous cells (Strasburger cells) instead of sieve tube elements and companion cells.
3
Match cellular features to spermatophyte divisions
Plant X is classified as an angiosperm and Plant Y as a gymnosperm.
The anatomical distinction accurately separates the two major divisions of seed plants (spermatophytes).

Key Concept

Phloem tissue distinctions between Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
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Topics

Spermatophytes: Gymnosperms and Angiosperms

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