Lecture 15 - Non-Vascular Plants (The evolution of land plants)

Question 1

Why are plants important?

Answer 1

They are a foundational species in all land ecosystems.

Question 2

How are plants represented on the phylogenetic tree?

Answer 2

They are a monophyletic clade of multicellular organisms.

Question 3

What are plants most closely related too?

Answer 3

Their sister taxa green algae.

Question 4

What are 5 ways in which plants are similar to their sister taxa?

Answer 4

1. Photosynthetic
2. Chloroplasts with chlorophyll a and b
3. Proteins that synthesize cellulose
4. Unique flagellated sperm structure
5. Unique structure during cell division

Question 5

What are 5 benefits for plants moving from water to land?

Answer 5

1. More CO2
2. More sunlight
3. Lots of nutrients
4. Lots of habitat
5. Low competition

Question 6

What are 5 adaptations of plants moving to land?

Answer 6

1. Water loss prevention
2. UV protection
3. Spore and embryo protection
4. Symbiosis with mycorrhizae to access nutrients efficiently
5. Alternation of generations