Concept explainers
Scientists hypothesize that the ancestors of plants were. There are two major types of plants; those that lack conducting cells are called and those with conducting cells are called. All plants produce multicellular and exhibit a complex life cycle called.
To review:
The given blank space in the statement, “scientists hypothesize that the ancestors of plants were__________. There are two major types of plants; those that lack conducting cells are called __________ and those with conducting cells are called __________. All the plants produce multicellular _________ and exhibit a complex life cycle called ___________.”
Introduction:
A major part of the earth was submerged in the oceans during ancient times. The life is assumed to have evolved under the ocean as that was the only favorable environment for the living organisms. They obtained nutrients from the water and could move freely from one place to another. They also received protection from the harsh terrestrial environment, which frequently oscillated between warm and cold temperature conditions. Similarly, the ancestors of the present-day plants also evolved in the water.
Explanation of Solution
The evolution of plants can be proved from the fact that some plants still grow in the aquatic environment like algae, some bryophytes, and a few pteridophytes. Photosynthetic algae are considered as the ancestors of present-day plants.
The water-dwelling plants lack true roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive structures like fruits and flowers. These plants lack water conduction system like xylem and hence, are called nonvascular plants. Algae and bryophytes fall under this category. The plants that contain a proper conducting system, almost all the terrestrial plants, are called vascular plants or tracheophytes.
A common feature of aquatic and terrestrial plants is that they produce a multicellular-dependent embryo and their haploid gametophyte alternates with diploid sporophyte. The photosynthetic nature and this complex life cycle distinguish them from other organisms.
Scientists hypothesize that the ancestors of plants were green algae. There are two major types of plants; those that lack conducting cells are called nonvascular plants (bryophytes) and those with conducting cells are called vascular plants (tracheophytes). All the plants produce multicellular embryos and exhibit a complex life cycle called alternation of generations.
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Chapter 21 Solutions
Biology: Life on Earth
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