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Multiple Choice
Which of the following protist groups is most closely related to the land plants?
A
Diatoms
B
Euglenoids
C
Green algae
D
Dinoflagellates
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the evolutionary relationship between protists and land plants. Land plants are believed to have evolved from a group of green algae, which are protists.
Recognize that green algae share several key characteristics with land plants, such as chlorophylls a and b, and the storage of starch as a carbohydrate.
Consider the phylogenetic tree of life, which shows the evolutionary connections between different groups. Green algae are part of the Archaeplastida group, which also includes land plants.
Compare the other protist groups listed: Diatoms, Euglenoids, and Dinoflagellates. These groups do not share the same close evolutionary relationship with land plants as green algae do.
Conclude that green algae are the protist group most closely related to land plants due to their shared ancestry and similar biological features.