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Multiple Choice
Which of the following was a challenge to the survival of the first land plants?
A
Excessive sunlight exposure
B
Competition with animals for space
C
Abundance of nutrients in soil
D
Desiccation due to lack of water
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context: The first land plants evolved from aquatic ancestors, which means they had to adapt to a terrestrial environment that is quite different from water.
Identify the key challenge: In a terrestrial environment, water is not as readily available as in aquatic environments, leading to the risk of desiccation, or drying out.
Consider the adaptations: To survive on land, plants developed adaptations such as waxy cuticles to reduce water loss, stomata for gas exchange, and vascular tissues to transport water and nutrients.
Evaluate other options: Excessive sunlight exposure can be a challenge, but plants have developed pigments like chlorophyll to manage light absorption. Competition with animals for space was not a significant issue for early land plants as animals had not yet extensively colonized land.
Conclude with the main challenge: The primary challenge for the first land plants was desiccation due to the lack of water, which drove the evolution of various adaptations to conserve water.