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Multiple Choice
The living plants that are most similar to the first plants to bear gametangia are the _____.
A
conifers
B
mosses
C
flowering plants
D
ferns
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the term 'gametangia': Gametangia are specialized structures in plants where gametes (sperm and eggs) are produced. They are a key adaptation for reproduction in land plants, protecting gametes from desiccation and environmental stress.
Recognize the evolutionary significance: The first plants to bear gametangia were non-vascular plants, which are simpler in structure and lack specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients. These plants were among the earliest to adapt to life on land.
Identify the characteristics of mosses: Mosses are non-vascular plants (bryophytes) that produce gametangia. They rely on water for reproduction, as their sperm must swim to reach the egg within the archegonia (female gametangium).
Compare mosses to the other options: Conifers and flowering plants are vascular plants with more advanced reproductive structures (cones and flowers, respectively). Ferns, while vascular, reproduce via spores and do not rely on gametangia in the same way as mosses.
Conclude that mosses are the living plants most similar to the first plants to bear gametangia, as they share key characteristics such as non-vascular structure and reliance on gametangia for reproduction.