Chapter 30 Practice problems and quiz problems

Question 1

Which of the following is a major trend in land plant evolution?

Question 1 options:

the trend toward a sporophyte-dominated life cycle

the trend toward larger gametophytes

the trend toward smaller size

the trend toward a gametophyte-dominated life cycle

Answer 1

the trend toward a sporophyte-dominated life cycle

Question 2

In addition to seeds, which of the following characteristics is unique to the seed-producing plants?

Question 2 options:

sporopollenin

lignin present in cell walls

megaphylls

pollen

Answer 2

pollen

Question 3

Arrange the following in the correct sequence, from earliest to most recent, in which these plant traits originated.

Question 3 options:

gametophyte dominance, sporophyte dependence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte independence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte dependence

sporophyte dominance, gametophyte dependence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte independence; gametophyte dominance, sporophyte dependence

sporophyte dominance, gametophyte independence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte dependence; gametophyte dominance, sporophyte dependence

gametophyte dominance, sporophyte dependence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte dependence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte independence

Answer 3

gametophyte dominance, sporophyte dependence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte independence; sporophyte dominance, gametophyte dependence

Question 4

A researcher has developed two stains for use with seed plants. One stains sporophyte tissue blue; the other stains gametophyte tissue red. If the researcher exposes pollen grains to both stains, and then rinses away the excess stain, what should occur?

Question 4 options:

The pollen grains will have red interiors and blue exteriors.

The pollen grains will be pure blue.

The pollen grains will be pure red.

The pollen grains will have blue interiors and red exteriors.

Answer 4

The pollen grains will have red interiors and blue exteriors.

Question 5

The advantages of the reduced gametophytes in seed plants include ________.

Question 5 options:

development of the seed

protection from ultraviolet radiation, gain of nutrients from its own photosynthesis, and protection from drying out

protection of the spores from ultraviolet radiation and drying out, and gain of nutrients from the sporophyte

protection from ultraviolet radiation, gain of nutrients from the sporophyte, and protection from drying out

Answer 5

protection from ultraviolet radiation, gain of nutrients from the sporophyte, and protection from drying out

Question 6

Unlike almost all ferns, seed plants ________.

Question 6 options:

produce two kinds of spores

can photosynthesize

have large gametophytes

have vascular tissue

Answer 6

produce two kinds of spores

Question 7

The closest relatives of the familiar pine and spruce trees are ________.

Question 7 options:

hornworts, liverworts, and mosses

ferns, horsetails, lycophytes, and club mosses

gnetophytes, cycads, and ginkgos

elms, maples, and aspens

Answer 7

gnetophytes, cycads, and ginkgos

Question 8

The cycads, a mostly tropical phylum of gymnosperms, evolved about 300 million years ago and were dominant forms during the age of the dinosaurs. Though their sperm are flagellated, their ovules are pollinated by beetles. These beetles get nutrition from the pollen and shelter from the microsporophylls. Upon visiting megasporophylls, the beetles transfer pollen to the exposed ovules. In cycads, pollen cones and seed cones are borne on different plants. Cycads synthesize neurotoxins, especially in the seeds, that are effective against most animals, including humans.

Which feature of cycads distinguishes them from most other gymnosperms?

Question 8 options:

They have flagellated sperm and they are pollinated by animals.

They have flagellated sperm.

They have exposed ovules.

They are pollinated by animals.

Answer 8

They have flagellated sperm and they are pollinated by animals.

Question 9

Which of the following sex and generation combinations directly produces the fruit of angiosperms?

Question 9 options:

male gametophyte

male sporophyte

female sporophyte

female gametophyte

Answer 9

female sporophyte

Question 10

Arrange the following structures from largest to smallest, assuming that they belong to two generations of the same angiosperm.

Question 10 options:

embryo sac, carpel, egg, ovary, ovule

carpel, ovary, ovule, embryo sac, egg

carpel, embryo sac, ovule, ovary, egg

embryo sac, ovary, carpel, ovule, egg

Answer 10

carpel, ovary, ovule, embryo sac, egg

Question 11

If a seed could not enter dormancy, how might that affect the embryo’s transport or survival?

Answer 11

If a seed cannot enter dormancy, the embryo (once fertilized) will continue to grow, and become too large for dispersal, which will limit transport. It might also reduce survival given it cannot delay growth until favorable conditions, and may also succumb to harsh environments without the protection of a seed coating.

Question 12

Although there are fewer than 1,000 species of gymnosperms, the group is still very successful in terms of its evolutionary longevity, adaptations, and geographic distribution. Explain.

Answer 12

Although gymnosperms do not have enclosed ovaries and fruits to protect embryos, their seed bearing structures vary quite a bit. Cycads have large cones (also will form pollen bearing and seed bearing cones), while gingkos and gnetum have fruit-like fleshy cones, while conifers have woody-type cones. Leave shape also varies greatly, as confiers have needles while cycads have large palm-like leaves

Question 13

It is said that an oak is an acorn’s way of making more acorns. Write an explanation that includes these terms: sporophyte, gametophyte, ovule, seeds, ovary, and fruit.

Answer 13

The tree (a sporophyte) creates gametophytes in pollen and ovules, and when these gametophytes merge mature into dry fruits - acorns. After acorn seeds are germinated, they produce trees, and trees produce more acorns.

Question 14

Compare and contrast a pine cone and a flower in terms of structure and function.

Answer 14

Pine cones and flowers both have sporophylls - which are modified leaves that produce spores.

Pine trees have separate pollen cones (with pollen grains) and ovulate cones (with ovaries) while flowers have both stamen and carpel organs that produce/house pollen and ovaries, respectively.

Question 15

Explain why plant diversity can be considered a nonrenewable resource.

Answer 15

Plants provide important (and unique) benefits to humans. If a plant species becomes extinct, that extinction is permanent. Also, genetic diversity among plants is important as well, as it aids competition between species to favor the most advantageous traits

Question 16

How could phylogenies be used to help researchers search more efficiently for novel medicines derived from seed plants?

Answer 16

Researchers could study monophyletic groups and clades within those groups that medicinal compounds have already been discovered.