Multiple Choice
Which of the following groups represent the three main types of seedless vascular plants?
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28. Plants
Seedless Vascular Plants
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Why are seedless vascular plants considered paraphyletic rather than monophyletic?
A
Because they include some, but not all, descendants of their most recent common ancestor.
B
Because they contain all descendants of a single common ancestor, forming a complete clade.
C
Because they evolved independently from multiple unrelated ancestors.
D
Because they are defined solely by the presence of seeds.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the definitions of paraphyletic and monophyletic groups: A paraphyletic group includes some, but not all, descendants of a common ancestor, whereas a monophyletic group includes all descendants of a single common ancestor, forming a complete clade.
Review the characteristics of seedless vascular plants: These plants, such as ferns and horsetails, are defined by their vascular tissue but lack seeds. They share a common ancestor with other vascular plants, including seed plants.
Analyze why seedless vascular plants are considered paraphyletic: Seedless vascular plants do not include all descendants of their most recent common ancestor. Specifically, they exclude seed plants, which are also descendants of the same ancestor.
Eliminate incorrect options: Seedless vascular plants are not defined solely by the presence of seeds (incorrect), nor did they evolve independently from multiple unrelated ancestors (incorrect). They share a common ancestor with seed plants but do not form a complete clade.
Conclude that seedless vascular plants are paraphyletic because they include some, but not all, descendants of their most recent common ancestor, excluding seed plants.
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