Topic 13: Evolution of Plants

Question 1

What characteristics do Plants share with Protists?

Answer 1

1. being multicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes.
2. have cell walls composed of cellulose
3. have chloroplasts w/ chlorophyll a and b.

Question 2

What did plants evolve from?

Answer 2

Fresh water green algae

Question 3

Shared Traits of Algae and Plants

Answer 3

Rings of cellulose-synthesizing proteins in the plasma membrane
Homologous flagellated sperm

Question 4

Evolutionary benefits to Charophyte Ancestors Moving to Land

Answer 4

1. Decreased Competition
2. Abundant Light, CO2, and nutrients
3. Few herbivores or pathogens

Question 5

Challenges to Terrestrial Plants

Answer 5

• Scarcity of water
• lack of structural support

Question 6

Desiccation

Answer 6

Lack of water

Question 7

Adaptation of Plants for Terrestrial Life

Answer 7

1. Sporopollenin
2. Water Conservation
3. Lignified Vascular Tissue for Internal Transport
4. Functional Compartmentalization

Question 8

1. Sporopollenin

Answer 8

a durable polymer in the cell wall that is resistant to degradation by enzymes and inorganic chemicals.

Question 9

2. Water Conservation

Answer 9

Has waxy cuticles that conserve water and stomata that facilitate gas exchange and serve as sites for water evaporation.

Question 10

3. Lignified Vascular Tissue for Internal Transport

Answer 10

Had Xylem and Phloem that have vascular tissues that provide rigidity and water transport.

Question 11

Xylem

Answer 11

dead cells that form conduits to transport water and minerals from roots to shoots.

Question 12

Phloem

Answer 12

Living cells that distribute soluble organic compounds produced during photosynthesis.

Question 13

4. Functional Compartmentalization

Answer 13

Roots and shoot each take on jobs that make plants very efficient.

Question 14

Shared Derived Traits of Plants

Answer 14

1. Alternation of Generations
2. Multicellular Embryos
3. Walled Spores in Sporangia
4. Apical Meristems
   5.Cuticle Conserves Water

Question 15

Alternation of Generations

Answer 15

Plants alternate between two multicellular generations:
Sporophyte (2n) for dispersal
Gametophyte (n) for fertilization

Question 16

Where are Spores produced?

Answer 16

Spores are produced by the sporophyte undergoing meiosis within sporangia.

Question 17

4. Apical Meristems

Answer 17

Regions of cell division at the shoot and root tips that enable continual growth.

Question 18

What is the most basal plant?

Answer 18

The bryophytes.