Chapter 29 Plant Diversity

Question 1

Identify each of the following structures as haploid or diploid

A)sporophyte
B)spore
C)gametophyte
D)zygote
E)sperm

Answer 1

A) diploid,

B) haploid,

C) haploid

D) diploid

E) haploid

Question 2

1) The most recent common ancestor of all land plants was probably similar to modern-day members of which
group?

A) green algae
B) red algae
C) charophytes
D) brown algae
E) angiosperms

Answer 2

C) charophytes

Question 3

The structural integrity of bacteria is to peptidoglycan as the structural integrity of plant spores is to
A) lignin.
B) cellulose.
C) secondary compounds.
D) sporopollenin.

Answer 3

D) sporopollenin.

Question 4

Which kind of plant tissue should lack phragmoplasts?
A) bryophyte tissues
B) diploid tissues of charophytes
C) spore-producing tissues of all land plants
D) tissues performing nuclear division without intervening cytokineses
E) the meristematic tissues of fern gametophytes

Answer 4

D) tissues performing nuclear division without intervening cytokineses

Question 5

The following are common to both charophytes and land plants except
A) sporopollenin.
B) lignin.
C) chlorophyll a.
D) cellulose.
E) chlorophyll b.

Answer 5

B) lignin

Question 6

A number of characteristics are very similar between charophytes and members of the kingdom Plantae. Of the
following, which characteristic does not provide evidence for a close evolutionary relationship between these
two groups?
A) alternation of generations
B) chloroplast structure
C) cell plate formation during cytokinesis
D) sperm cell structure
E) ribosomal RNA nucleotide sequences

Answer 6

A) alternation of generations

Question 7

Suppose a moss evolved an efficient conducting system that could transport water and other materials as far as
a tree is tall. Four of the following five statements about ʺtreesʺ of such a species are correct. Select the
exception.
A) Fertilization would probably be more difficult.
B) Spore dispersal distances might increase but probably would not decrease.
C) Females could only produce one archegonium.
D) Unless its body parts were strengthened, such a ʺtreeʺ might flop over.
E) Individuals could compete more effectively for access to light.

Answer 7

C) Females could only produce one archegonium.

Question 8

6) Which of the following is a land plant that produces flagellated sperm and has a sporophyte -dominated life
cycle?
A) moss
B) fern
C) liverwort
D) charophyte
E) hornwort

Answer 8

B) fern

Question 9

Microphylls are characteristic of which types of plants?
A) mosses
B) liverworts
C) lycophytes
D) ferns
E) hornworts

Answer 9

C) lycophytes

Question 10

In plants, which of the following are produced by meiosis?
A) haploid sporophyte
B) haploid gametes
C) diploid gametes
D) haploid spores
E) diploid spores

Answer 10

D) haploid spores

Question 11

Which of the following is not common to all phyla of vascular plants?
A) the development of seeds
B) alternation of generations
C) dominance of the diploid generation
D) xylem and phloem
E) the addition of lignin to cell walls

Answer 11

A) the development of seeds

Question 12

Which of the following characteristics of plants is absent in their closest relatives, the charophyte algae?
A) chlorophyll b
B) cellulose in cell walls
C) formation of a cell plate during cytokinesis
D) sexual reproduction
E) alternation of multicellular generations

Answer 12

E) alternation of multicellular generations

Question 13

1) Which of the following is not evidence that charophytes are the closest algal relatives of plants?
A) similar sperm structure
B) similarities in chloroplast shape
C) similarities in cell wall formation during cell division
D) genetic similarities in chloroplasts
E) similarities in proteins that synthesize cellulose

Answer 13

B) similarities in chloroplast shape

Question 14

Working from deep geologic strata toward shallow geologic strata, what is the sequence in which fossils of
these groups should make their first appearance?
1. charophytes
2. single-celled green algae
3. hornworts
4. plants with a dominant sporophyte
A) 1 → 3 → 2 → 4
B) 3 → 1 → 2 → 4
C) 2 → 1 → 3 → 4
D) 3 → 2 → 4 → 1
E) 2 → 4 → 1 → 3

Answer 14

C) 2 → 1 → 3 → 4

Question 15

During glacial periods in the early evolution of land plants, which of these is a beneficial adaptation regarding
the number of stomata per unit surface area, and what accounts for it?
A) increased numbers of stomata, to maximize absorption of increasing levels of atmospheric CO2
B) increased numbers of stomata, to maximize ability to absorb ever-decreasing levels of atmospheric CO2
C) decreased numbers of stomata, to retain CO2 produced by the chloroplasts
D) decreased numbers of stomata, to maximize absorption of ever-decreasing levels of atmospheric CO2

Answer 15

D) decreased numbers of stomata, to maximize absorption of ever-decreasing levels of atmospheric CO2

Question 16

Which of these should have had gene sequences most similar to the charophyte that was the common ancestor
of the land plants?
A) early angiosperms
B) early bryophytes
C) early gymnosperms
D) early lycophytes
E) early pterophytes

Answer 16

B) early bryophytes

Question 17

Of the following list, flagellated (swimming) sperm are generally present in which groups?
1. Lycophyta
2. Bryophyta
3. Angiosperms
4. Chlorophyta
5. Pterophyta
A) 1, 2, 3
B) 1, 2, 4, 5
C) 1, 3, 4, 5
D) 2, 3, 5
E) 2, 3, 4, 5

Answer 17

B) 1, 2, 4, 5

Question 18

If intelligent extraterrestrials visited Earth 475 million years ago, and then again 300 million years ago (at the
close of the Carboniferous period), what trends would they have noticed in Earthʹs terrestrial vegetation over
this period?
1. a trend from dominant gametophytes to dominant sprophytes
2. a trend from sporangia borne on modified leaves (sporophylls) to sporangia borne on stalks (seta)
3. a trend from no true leaves, to microphylls, to megaphylls
4. a trend from soil-surface-hugging plants to ʺovertoppingʺ plants
5. a trend toward increased lignification of conducting systems
A) 1 and 3
B) 3, 4, and 5
C) 1, 2, 4, and 5
D) 1, 3, 4, and 5
E) 2, 3, 4, and 5

Answer 18

D) 1, 3, 4, and 5

Question 19

Which of the following is true of seedless vascular plants?
A) Extant seedless vascular plants are larger than the extinct varieties.
B) Whole forests were dominated by large, seedless vascular plants during the Carboniferous period.
C) They produce many spores, which are really the same as seeds.
D) The gametophyte is the dominant generation.
E) Sphagnum is an economically and ecologically important example.

Answer 19

Whole forests were dominated by large, seedless vascular plants during the Carboniferous period.

Question 20

If humans had been present to build log structures during the Carboniferous period (they werenʹt), which plant
type(s) would have been suitable sources of logs?
A) whisk ferns and epiphytes
B) horsetails and bryophytes
C) lycophytes and bryophytes
D) ferns, horsetails, and lycophytes
E) charophytes, bryophytes, and gymnosperms

Answer 20

D) ferns, horsetails, and lycophytes

Question 21

Assuming that they all belong to the same plant, arrange the following structures from largest to smallest (or
from most inclusive to least inclusive).
1. spores
2. sporophylls
3. sporophytes
4. sporangia
A) 2, 4, 3, 1
B) 2, 3, 4, 1
C) 3, 1, 4, 2
D) 3, 4, 2, 1
E) 3, 2, 4, 1

Answer 21

E) 3, 2, 4, 1

Question 22

A dissection of the interior of this organismʹs stem should reveal
A) lignified vascular tissues.
B) cuticle.
C) gametangia.
D) that it is composed of only a single, long cell.
E) a relatively high proportion of dead, water-filled cells.

Answer 22

A) lignified vascular tissues.

Question 23

A biology student hiking in a forest happens upon an erect, 15-cm-tall plant that bears microphylls and a strobilus at its
tallest point. When disturbed, the cone emits a dense cloud of brownish dust. A pocket magnifying glass reveals the dust to
be composed of tiny spheres with a high oil content.
54) This student has probably found a(n)
A) immature pine tree.
B) bryophyte sporophyte.
C) fern sporophyte.
D) horsetail gametophyte.
E) lycophyte sporophyte.

Answer 23

E) lycophyte sporophyte.

Question 24

55) Besides oil, what other chemical should be detected in substantial amounts upon chemical analysis of these
small spheres?
A) sporopollenins
B) phenolics
C) waxes
D) lignins
E) terpenes

Answer 24

A) sporopollenins

Question 25

Closer observation reveals that these small spheres are produced on tiny extensions of the stem, each of which
helps compose the strobilus. These small, spore-producing extensions of the stem are called
A) scales
B) sporangia
C) sporophylls
D) gametangia

Answer 25

C) sporophylls

Question 26

This organism probably belongs to the same phylum as the
A) ferns, horsetails, and whisk ferns.
B) club mosses, quillworts, and spike mosses.
C) mosses, hornworts, and liverworts.
D) conifers.
E) charophytes.

Answer 26

B) club mosses, quillworts, and spike mosses.

Question 27

A major change that occurred during the evolution of plants from their algal ancestors was the origin of a
branched sporophyte. What advantage would branched sporophytes provide in this stage of the life cycle?
A) increased gamete production
B) increased spore production
C) increased potential for independence of the diploid stage from the haploid stage
D) increased fertilization rate
E) increased size of the diploid stage

Answer 27

B) increased spore production

Question 28

Sporophylls can be found in which of the following?
A) mosses
B) liverworts
C) hornworts
D) pterophytes
E) charophytes

Answer 28

D) pterophytes

Question 29

Which of the following types of plants would not yet have been evolved in the forests that became coal
deposits?
A) horsetails
B) lycophytes
C) pine trees
D) tree ferns
E) whisk ferns

Answer 29

C) pine trees

Question 30

If a fern gametophyte is a hermaphrodite (that is, has both male and female gametangia on the same plant),
then it
A) belongs to a species that is homosporous.
B) must be diploid.
C) has lost the need for a sporophyte generation.
D) has antheridia and archegonia combined into a single sex organ.
E) is actually not a fern, because fern gametophytes are always either male or female.

Answer 30

A) belongs to a species that is homosporous.

Question 31

You are hiking in a forest and come upon a mysterious plant, which you determine is either a lycophyte
sporophyte or a pterophyte sporophyte. Which of the following would be most helpful in helping you correctly
classify the plant?
A) whether it has true leaves or not
B) whether it has microphylls or megaphylls
C) whether or not it has seeds
D) its height
E) whether it has chlorophyll a or not

Answer 31

B) whether it has microphylls or megaphylls

Question 32

A botanist discovers a new species of plant in a tropical rain forest. After observing its anatomy and life cycle,
the following characteristics are noted: flagellated sperm, xylem with tracheids, separate gametophyte and
sporophyte generations with the sporophyte dominant, and no seeds. This plant is probably most closely
related to
A) mosses.
B) charophytes.
C) ferns.
D) gymnosperms.
E) flowering plants.

Answer 32

C) ferns.

Question 33

The following characteristics all helped seedless plants become better adapted to land except
A) a dominant gametophyte.
B) vascular tissue.
C) a waxy cuticle.
D) stomata on leaves.
E) a branched sporophyte

Answer 33

A) a dominant gametophyte.

Question 34

You are hiking in a forest and happen upon a plant featuring a central stemlike structure from which sprout
many, tiny, leaflike structures. Which of these would be the most certain means of distinguishing whether it
was a true moss, or a club moss?
A) its color
B) its height
C) if seeds are present
D) if conducting tissues are present
E) the appearance of its spore-producing structures

Answer 34

E) the appearance of its spore-producing structures

Question 35

In which of the following taxa does the mature sporophyte depend completely on the gametophyte for
nutrition?
A) fern
B) bryophyte
C) horsetail (Equisetum)
D) A and C
E) A, B, and C

Answer 35

B) bryophyte

Question 36

Bryophytes never formed forests (mats, yes, but not forests) because
A) they possess flagellated sperms.
B) not all are heterosporous.
C) they lack lignified vascular tissue.
D) they have no adaptations to prevent desiccation.
E) the sporophyte is too weak.

Answer 36

C) they lack lignified vascular tissue.

Question 37

If you are looking for structures that transfer water and nutrients from a bryophyte gametophyte to a
bryophyte sporophyte, then on which part of the sporophyte should you focus your attention?
A) spores
B) seta
C) foot
D) sporangium
E) peristome

Answer 37

C) foot

Question 38

Two, small, poorly drained lakes lie close to each other in a northern forest. The basins of both lakes are
composed of the same geologic substratum. One lake is surrounded by a dense Sphagnum mat; the other is not.
Compared to the pond with Sphagnum, the pond lacking the moss mat should have
A) lower numbers of bacteria.
B) reduced rates of decomposition.
C) reduced oxygen content.
D) less-acidic water.

Answer 38

D) less-acidic water.

Question 39

Among bryophytes, only the sporophytes of mosses and hornworts have stomata, whereas stomata are missing
from liverwort sporophytes. If the common ancestor of all bryophytes had sporophytes that bore stomata, then
which of these might account for their absence from liverwort sporophytes? If, in contrast to early mosses and
hornworts, early liverwort sporophytes had
A) more-effective transport of glucose from gametophyte to sporophyte.
B) increased robustness (i.e., thicker, more massive tissues).
C) increased nutritional independence from the gametophyte.
D) decreased need to broadcast spores long distances.

Answer 39

A) more-effective transport of glucose from gametophyte to sporophyte.

Question 40

The 2-m height attainable by Polytrichum moss is at the upper end of the size range reached by mosses. What
accounts for the relative tallness of Polytrichum?
A) the cuticle that is found along the ridges of ʺleavesʺ
B) ʺleavesʺ that are more than one-cell-layer thick
C) high humidity of surrounding air provides support against gravity
D) reduced size, mass, and persistence of the sporophytes allows gametophores to grow taller
E) the presence of conducting tissues in ʺstemʺ

Answer 40

E) the presence of conducting tissues in ʺstemʺ

Question 41

Why should one expect the soilʹs nitrogen not to be contained solely within the rhizoids of the Polytrichum
mosses?
A) Rhizoids are associated with fungi that inhibit mineral transfer from soil to rhizoids.
B) Rhizoids are not absorptive structures.
C) Rhizoids consist of single, tubular cells or of filaments of cells.
D) Rhizoids lack direct attachment to the moss sporophytes.

Answer 41

B) Rhizoids are not absorptive structures.

Question 42

Which of these potential results of applying a metabolic poison to the rhizoids of Polytrichum should interfere
the least with the ability to draw valid conclusions from this experiment?
A) If, upon dying, the rhizoids leak nitrogenous compounds into the soil before final nitrogen content is
measured.
B) If, upon dying, decomposition of the rhizoids introduces nitrogenous compounds to the soil before final
nitrogen content is measured.
C) If the metabolic poison is hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or sodium azide (NaN3), and much of the poison
remains in the soil.
D) If the metabolic poison acts against the mitochondria of the rhizoid cells.
E) If the metabolic poison absorbs nitrogen and strongly adheres to soil particles, acting as a sort of glue.

Answer 42

D) If the metabolic poison acts against the mitochondria of the rhizoid cells.

Question 43

If the actual results most closely resembled those in Figure 29.2(A), then a further question arising from these
data is: ʺDo the Polytrichum rhizoids have to be alive in order to reduce soil nitrogen loss, or do dead rhizoids
have the same effect?ʺ Arrange the following steps in the correct sequence to test this hypothesis:
1. Add metabolic poison to the soil of the experimental plot of mosses.
2. Apply water equally to the experimental and control plots.
3. Measure initial soil nitrogen contents of control and experimental plots.
4. Determine nitrogen loss from soil of control and experimental plots.
5. Establish two identical plots of Polytrichum mosses; one as a control, the other as the experimental treatment.
A) 5 → 1 → 3 → 2 → 4
B) 5 → 2 → 3 → 1 → 4
C) 5 → 3 → 1 → 2 → 4
D) 4 → 5 → 1 → 3 → 2
E) 5 → 3 → 2 → 1 → 4

Answer 43

C) 5 → 3 → 1 → 2 → 4

Question 44

Loss of soil nitrogen via ʺgaseous emissionʺ was found to be negligible. Rather, most loss of soil nitrogen was
due to water erosion of the soil. Which of these hypotheses is least likely to account for the observed results?
A) If rhizoids had helped stabilize the soil, then less erosion and less loss of nitrogen would occur.
B) If protonemata had absorbed, and stored, nitrogen from the soil, then they would have reduced loss of
nitrogen by erosion.
C) If the overlying mat of gametophores had slowed the entry of water into the soil, then it would have
reduced waterʹs ability to erode the soil, and carry away its nitrogen.
D) If sporophyte stomata had absorbed nitrogen from the soil, then they would have reduced loss of
nitrogen by erosion.

Answer 44

D) If sporophyte stomata had absorbed nitrogen from the soil, then they would have reduced loss of
nitrogen by erosion.

Question 45

A potential source of nitrogen in a sandy soil environment might be the bacterium, Rhizobium, which inhabits
the root nodules of leguminous plants. Which of these statements is true, and should prevent Rhizobium or
other root-inhabiting nitrogen-fixers from contributing nitrogen to the soil in this experiment?
A) Mosses have no roots.
B) Moss gametophytes lack stomata.
C) Mosses evolved before there were substantial amounts of nitrogen in Earthʹs atmosphere.
D) Among land plants, only legumes are known to establish symbiotic relationships with members of other
kingdoms.

Answer 45

A) Mosses have no roots.

Question 46

A fungal infection damages all peristomes, preventing them from performing their function. Which process
will be directly hindered as a result?
A) growth of the sporophyte
B) ability of sperm to locate eggs
C) growth of the protonema
D) lengthening of rhizoids
E) broadcast of spores

Answer 46

E) broadcast of spores

Question 47

Bryophytes may feature all of the following at some time during their existence except
A) microphylls.
B) rhizoids.
C) archegonia.
D) sporangia.
E) placental transfer cells.

Answer 47

A) microphylls.

Question 48

Beginning with the germination of a moss spore, what is the sequence of structures that develop after
germination?
1. embryo
2. gametes
3. sporophyte
4. protonema
5. gametophore
A) 4 →1 → 3 → 5 → 2
B) 4 → 3 → 5 → 2 → 1
C) 4 → 5 → 2 → 1 → 3
D) 3 → 4 → 5 → 2 → 1
E) 3 → 1 → 4 → 5 → 2

Answer 48

C) 4 → 5 → 2 → 1 → 3

Question 49

The following are all true about the life cycle of mosses except
A) external water is required for fertilization.
B) flagellated sperm are produced.
C) antheridia and archegonia are produced by gametophytes.
D) the gametophyte generation is dominant.
E) the growing embryo gives rise to the gametophyte.

Answer 49

E) the growing embryo gives rise to the gametophyte.

Question 50

Each of the following is a general characteristic of bryophytes except
A) a cellulose cell wall.
B) vascular tissue.
C) chlorophylls a and b.
D) being photosynthetic autotrophs.
E) being eukaryotic.

Answer 50

B) vascular tissue.

Question 51

The leaflike appendages of moss gametophytes may be one- to two-cell-layers thick. Consequently, which of
these is least likely to be found associated with such appendages?
A) cuticle
B) rosette cellulose-synthesizing complexes
C) stomata
D) peroxisomes
E) phenolics

Answer 51

C) stomata

Question 52

Assuming that they all belong to the same plant, arrange the following structures from smallest to largest.
1. antheridia
2. gametes
3. gametophytes
4 .gametangia
A) 1, 4, 3, 2
B) 3, 1, 2, 4
C) 3, 4, 2, 1
D) 3, 4, 1, 2
E) 4, 3, 1, 2

Answer 52

D) 3, 4, 1, 2

Question 53

Which of the following is a true statement about plant reproduction?
A) ʺEmbryophytesʺ are small because they are in an early developmental stage.
B) Both male and female bryophytes produce gametangia.
C) Gametangia protect gametes from excess water.
D) Eggs and sperm of bryophytes swim toward one another.
E) Bryophytes are limited to asexual reproduction.

Answer 53

B) Both male and female bryophytes produce gametangia.

Question 54

Which of the following statements is true of archegonia?
A) They are the sites where male gametes are produced.
B) They may temporarily contain sporophyte embryos.
C) They are the same as sporangia.
D) They are the ancestral versions of animal gonads.
E) They are asexual reproductive structures.

Answer 54

B) They may temporarily contain sporophyte embryos.

Question 55

Plant spores are produced directly by
A) sporophytes.
B) gametes.
C) gametophytes.
D) gametangia.
E) seeds.

Answer 55

A) sporophytes.

Question 56

Bryophytes have all of the following characteristics except
A) multicellularity.
B) specialized cells and tissues.
C) lignified vascular tissue.
D) walled spores in sporangia.
E) a reduced, dependent sporophyte.

Answer 56

C) lignified vascular tissue.

Question 57

Which event during the evolution of land plants probably made the synthesis of secondary compounds most
beneficial?
A) the greenhouse effect present throughout the Devonian period
B) the reverse-greenhouse effect during the Carboniferous period
C) the association of the roots of land plants with fungi
D) the rise of herbivory
E) the rise of wind pollination

Answer 57

D) the rise of herbivory

Question 58

Which of the following taxa includes the largest amount of genetic diversity among plantlike organisms?
A) Embryophyta
B) Viridiplantae
C) Plantae
D) Charophyceae
E) Tracheophyta

Answer 58

B) Viridiplantae

Question 59

Which of the following is a secondary compound of embryophytes?
A) adenosine triphosphate
B) alkaloids
C) GDP
D) chlorophyll a
E) chlorophyll b

Answer 59

B) alkaloids

Question 60

Mitotic activity by the apical meristem of a root makes which of the following more possible?
A) increase of the above-ground stem.
B) decreased absorption of mineral nutrients.
C) increased absorption of CO2.
D) increased number of chloroplasts in roots.
E) effective lateral growth of the stem.

Answer 60

A) increase of the above-ground stem.

Question 61

The following are all adaptations to life on land except
A) rosette cellulose-synthesizing complexes.
B) cuticles.
C) tracheids.
D) reduced gametophyte generation.
E) seeds.

Answer 61

A) rosette cellulose-synthesizing complexes.

Question 62

Which of the following was not a challenge for survival of the first land plants?
A) sources of water
B) sperm transfer
C) desiccation
D) animal predation
E) absorbing enough light

Answer 62

D) animal predation

Question 63

transport of water, minerals, and nutrients
A) tracheids and phloem
B) secondary compounds
C) cuticle
D) alternation of generations

Answer 63

A) tracheids and phloem

Question 64

protection from desiccation
A) tracheids and phloem
B) secondary compounds
C) cuticle
D) alternation of generations

Answer 64

C) cuticle

Question 65

protection from predators
A) tracheids and phloem
B) secondary compounds
C) cuticle
D) alternation of generations

Answer 65

B) secondary compounds

Question 66

Which taxon is essentially equivalent to the ʺembryophytesʺ?
A) Viridiplantae
B) Plantae
C) Pterophyta
D) Bryophyta
E) Charophycea

Answer 66

B) Plantae

Question 67

Whereas the zygotes of charophytes may remain within maternal tissues during their initial development, one
should not expect to observe
A) any nutrients from maternal tissues being used by the zygotes.
B) specialized placental transfer cells surrounding the zygotes.
C) the zygotes undergoing nuclear division.
D) mitochondria in the maternal tissues, or in the tissues of the zygotes.
E) the zygotes digested by enzymes from maternal lysosomes.

Answer 67

B) specialized placental transfer cells surrounding the zygotes.

Question 68

Which of the following characteristics, if observed in an unidentified green organism, would make it unlikely to
be a charophyte?
A) phragmoplast
B) peroxisome
C) apical meristem
D) chlorophylls a and b
E) rosette cellulose-synthesizing complex

Answer 68

C) apical meristem

Question 69

Some green algae exhibit alternation of generations. All land plants exhibit alternation of generations. No
charophytes exhibit alternation of generations. Keeping in mind the recent evidence from molecular
systematics, the correct interpretation of these observations is that
A) charophytes are not related to either green algae or land plants.
B) plants evolved alternation of generations independently of green algae.
C) alternation of generations cannot be beneficial to charophytes.
D) land plants evolved directly from the green algae that perform alternation of generations.
E) scientists have no evidence to indicate whether or not land plants evolved from any kind of alga.

Answer 69

B) plants evolved alternation of generations independently of green algae.

Question 70

On a field trip, a student in a marine biology class collects an organism that has differentiated organs, cell walls
of cellulose, and chloroplasts with chlorophyll a. Based on this description, the organism could be a brown
alga, a red alga, a green alga, a charophyte recently washed into the ocean from a freshwater or brackish water
source, or a land plant washed into the ocean. The presence of which of the following features would
definitively identify this organism as a land plant?
A) alternation of generations
B) sporopollenin
C) rosette cellulose-synthesizing complexes
D) flagellated sperm
E) embryos

Answer 70

E) embryos

Question 71

In animal cells and in the meristem cells of land plants, the nuclear envelope disintegrates during mitosis. This
disintegration does not occur in the cells of most protists and fungi. According to our current knowledge of
plant evolution, which group of organisms should feature mitosis most similar to that of land plants?
A) unicellular green algae
B) cyanobacteria
C) charophytes
D) red algae
E) multicellular green algae

Answer 71

C) charophytes

Question 72

A researcher wants to develop a test that will distinguish charophytes and land plants from green algae. Which
of the following chemicals would be the best subject for such an assay?
A) chlorophylla photosynthetic pigment
B) carotenoidsa class of accessory photosynthetic pigments
C) starcha food storage material
D) glycolate oxidasean peroxisomal enzyme that is associated with photorespiration
E) flavonoidsa class of phenolic compounds that is often associated with chemical signaling

Answer 72

D) glycolate oxidasean peroxisomal enzyme that is associated with photorespiration