Question 1

Which taxon is essentially equivalent to the "embryophytes"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plantae 
B)  Pterophyta 
C)  Bryophyta 
D)  Charophycea 
A)  Plantae 
B)  Pterophyta 
C)  Bryophyta 
D)  Charophycea

Question 2

Breeuwer et al. (2008)measured the effect of different temperature regimes on the growth of different Sphagnum species. The growth of S. fuscum at four temperatures is shown. Use the information in the graph to answer the following question.
 
Based on the data shown, what additional conclusions can you draw?

Accepted Answer

A)  With warmer temperatures, S. fuscum will be a better competitor. 
B)  With warmer temperatures, decomposition rates will be higher. 
C)  With warmer temperatures, decomposition rates will be lower. 
D)  No additional conclusions can be drawn from these data. 
A)  With warmer temperatures, S. fuscum will be a better competitor. 
B)  With warmer temperatures, decomposition rates will be higher. 
C)  With warmer temperatures, decomposition rates will be lower. 
D)  No additional conclusions can be drawn from these data.

Question 3

Most moss gametophytes do not have a cuticle and are 1-2 cells thick. What does this imply about moss gametophytes and their structure?

Accepted Answer

A)  They use stomata for gas exchange regulation. 
B)  They can easily lose water to, and absorb water from, the atmosphere. 
C)  Photosynthesis occurs throughout the entire gametophyte surface. 
D)  They have branching veins in their leaves. 
A)  They use stomata for gas exchange regulation. 
B)  They can easily lose water to, and absorb water from, the atmosphere. 
C)  Photosynthesis occurs throughout the entire gametophyte surface. 
D)  They have branching veins in their leaves.

Question 4

Which of the following environmental factors probably helped early plants to successfully colonize land?

Accepted Answer

A)  a decreased availability of CO₂ 
B)  relatively few competitors for light 
C)  an increased availability of symbiotic partners 
D)  air's relative lack of support, compared to water's support 
A)  a decreased availability of CO₂ 
B)  relatively few competitors for light 
C)  an increased availability of symbiotic partners 
D)  air's relative lack of support, compared to water's support

Question 5

Archegonia ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  are the sites where male gametes are produced 
B)  may contain sporophyte embryos 
C)  have the same function as sporangia 
D)  make asexual reproductive structures 
A)  are the sites where male gametes are produced 
B)  may contain sporophyte embryos 
C)  have the same function as sporangia 
D)  make asexual reproductive structures

Question 6

Microphylls are found in which plant group?

Accepted Answer

A)  lycophytes 
B)  liverworts 
C)  ferns 
D)  hornworts 
A)  lycophytes 
B)  liverworts 
C)  ferns 
D)  hornworts

Question 7

What is an accurate statement about the genus Sphagnum?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is an economically important liverwort. 
B)  It grows in extensive mats in grassland areas. 
C)  It accumulates to form coal and is burned as a fuel. 
D)  It represents a large repository of CO₂ that is likely to be released with global warming. 
A)  It is an economically important liverwort. 
B)  It grows in extensive mats in grassland areas. 
C)  It accumulates to form coal and is burned as a fuel. 
D)  It represents a large repository of CO₂ that is likely to be released with global warming.

Question 8

A student encounters a pondweed that appears to be a charophyte. Which of the following features would help the student determine whether the sample comes from a charophyte or from some other type of green alga?

Accepted Answer

A)  molecular structure of enzymes inside the chloroplasts and presence of phragmoplasts 
B)  molecular structure of enzymes inside the chloroplasts and rings of cellulose-synthesizing complexes 
C)  structure of sperm cells and presence of phragmoplasts 
D)  structure of sperm cells, presence of phragmoplasts, and rings of cellulose-synthesizing complexes 
A)  molecular structure of enzymes inside the chloroplasts and presence of phragmoplasts 
B)  molecular structure of enzymes inside the chloroplasts and rings of cellulose-synthesizing complexes 
C)  structure of sperm cells and presence of phragmoplasts 
D)  structure of sperm cells, presence of phragmoplasts, and rings of cellulose-synthesizing complexes

Question 9

Two small, poorly drained lakes lie close to each other in a northern forest. The basins of both lakes are composed of the same geologic substratum. One lake is surrounded by a dense Sphagnum mat; the other is not. Compared to the pond with Sphagnum, the pond lacking the moss mat should have ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  lower numbers of bacteria 
B)  reduced rates of decomposition 
C)  reduced oxygen content 
D)  water with a higher pH 
A)  lower numbers of bacteria 
B)  reduced rates of decomposition 
C)  reduced oxygen content 
D)  water with a higher pH

Question 10

Suppose an efficient conducting system evolved in a moss that could transport water and other materials as high as a tall tree. Which of the following statements about "trees" of such a species would be accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fertilization would probably be easier. 
B)  Spore dispersal distances would probably decrease. 
C)  Females could produce only one archegonium. 
D)  Individuals would probably compete more effectively for access to light. 
A)  Fertilization would probably be easier. 
B)  Spore dispersal distances would probably decrease. 
C)  Females could produce only one archegonium. 
D)  Individuals would probably compete more effectively for access to light.

Question 11

Arrange the following terms from most inclusive to least inclusive.

Accepted Answer

A)  embryophytes, green plants, tracheophytes, seedless vascular plants, ferns 
B)  green plants, embryophytes, tracheophytes, seedless vascular plants, ferns 
C)  green plants, tracheophytes, embryophytes, seedless vascular plants, ferns 
D)  embryophytes, ferns, green plants, tracheophytes, seedless vascular plants 
A)  embryophytes, green plants, tracheophytes, seedless vascular plants, ferns 
B)  green plants, embryophytes, tracheophytes, seedless vascular plants, ferns 
C)  green plants, tracheophytes, embryophytes, seedless vascular plants, ferns 
D)  embryophytes, ferns, green plants, tracheophytes, seedless vascular plants

Question 12

Use the following information to answer the question.
Big Bend National Park in Texas is mostly Chihuahuan desert, where rainfall averages about 25 centimeters per year. Yet, it is not uncommon when hiking in this extremely arid zone to encounter mosses and ferns. One such plant is called "flower of stone." It is not a flowering plant, nor does it produce seeds. Under arid conditions, its leaflike structures curl up. However, when it rains, it unfurls its leaves, which form a bright green rosette on the desert floor. Consequently, it is sometimes called the "resurrection plant." At first glance, it could be a fern, a true moss, or a spike moss.
Which of the following features is most important for true mosses and ferns to reproduce in the desert?

Accepted Answer

A)  that the sporophytes occupy only permanently shady, north-facing habitats 
B)  that the sporophytes hug the ground, growing no taller than a couple of inches 
C)  either that their gametophytes grow close together, or that they be homosporous 
D)  that the sporophytes have highly lignified vascular tissues 
A)  that the sporophytes occupy only permanently shady, north-facing habitats 
B)  that the sporophytes hug the ground, growing no taller than a couple of inches 
C)  either that their gametophytes grow close together, or that they be homosporous 
D)  that the sporophytes have highly lignified vascular tissues

Question 13

Use the following information to answer the question.
Big Bend National Park in Texas is mostly Chihuahuan desert, where rainfall averages about 25 centimeters per year. Yet, it is not uncommon when hiking in this extremely arid zone to encounter mosses and ferns. One such plant is called "flower of stone." It is not a flowering plant, nor does it produce seeds. Under arid conditions, its leaflike structures curl up. However, when it rains, it unfurls its leaves, which form a bright green rosette on the desert floor. Consequently, it is sometimes called the "resurrection plant." At first glance, it could be a fern, a true moss, or a spike moss.
Upon closer inspection of the leaves of "flower of stone," one can observe tiny, cone-like structures. Each cone-like structure emits spores of two different sizes. Further investigation also reveals that the roots of "flower of stone" branch only at the growing tip of the root, forming a Y-shaped structure. Based on these additional observations, which of the following can be properly inferred about "flower of stone"?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is heterosporous and has separate male and female gametophytes. 
B)  It is a fern and the cone-like structures are sori. 
C)  It is heterosporous, it is a fern, and the cone-like structures are sori. 
D)  It is heterosporous, it is a lycophyte, and it has separate male and female gametophytes. 
A)  It is heterosporous and has separate male and female gametophytes. 
B)  It is a fern and the cone-like structures are sori. 
C)  It is heterosporous, it is a fern, and the cone-like structures are sori. 
D)  It is heterosporous, it is a lycophyte, and it has separate male and female gametophytes.

Question 14

Apical meristems ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  occur only in shoots of plants 
B)  occur only in roots of plants 
C)  occur in both roots and shoots of plants 
D)  allow plants to move from one place to another 
A)  occur only in shoots of plants 
B)  occur only in roots of plants 
C)  occur in both roots and shoots of plants 
D)  allow plants to move from one place to another

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the transition from ocean to land by plants is most likely to be accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The transition to land occurred within a few generations. 
B)  The transition to land was likely gradual, with plants evolving traits that let them survive ever-drier conditions. 
C)  Rising sea levels favored individuals that were able to survive ever-drier conditions. 
D)  The high light levels of terrestrial systems favored individuals that contained flexible photosynthetic enzyme systems. 
A)  The transition to land occurred within a few generations. 
B)  The transition to land was likely gradual, with plants evolving traits that let them survive ever-drier conditions. 
C)  Rising sea levels favored individuals that were able to survive ever-drier conditions. 
D)  The high light levels of terrestrial systems favored individuals that contained flexible photosynthetic enzyme systems.

Question 16

The presence of vascular tissue allowed plants to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  absorb nutrients from the soil and form a symbiosis with fungi 
B)  transport nutrients and water from below-ground tissues to above-ground tissues and grow taller 
C)  transport nutrients and water from below-ground tissues and use them to protect developing embryos 
D)  release toxins into the soil that reduced competition with other plants by poisoning nearby plants 
A)  absorb nutrients from the soil and form a symbiosis with fungi 
B)  transport nutrients and water from below-ground tissues to above-ground tissues and grow taller 
C)  transport nutrients and water from below-ground tissues and use them to protect developing embryos 
D)  release toxins into the soil that reduced competition with other plants by poisoning nearby plants

Question 17

If you walk through an area with mosses and ferns, you are seeing ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  both sporophyte and gametophyte generations 
B)  only vascular plants 
C)  both nonvascular and seed-bearing plants 
D)  both seedless and seed-bearing plants 
A)  both sporophyte and gametophyte generations 
B)  only vascular plants 
C)  both nonvascular and seed-bearing plants 
D)  both seedless and seed-bearing plants

Question 18

Which of the following could occur only after plants moved from the oceans to land?

Accepted Answer

A)  Animals could also move onto land because there were opportunities for new food sources. 
B)  Animals could also move onto land because they had easier access to nitrogen. 
C)  Cyanobacteria could also move onto land because their host plants occurred there. 
D)  Plants in the oceans were able to evolve forms that lived in much deeper parts of the oceans. 
A)  Animals could also move onto land because there were opportunities for new food sources. 
B)  Animals could also move onto land because they had easier access to nitrogen. 
C)  Cyanobacteria could also move onto land because their host plants occurred there. 
D)  Plants in the oceans were able to evolve forms that lived in much deeper parts of the oceans.

Question 19

What evidence do paleobotanists look for that indicates the movement of plants from water to land?

Accepted Answer

A)  waxy cuticle to decrease evaporation from leaves 
B)  loss of structures that produce spores 
C)  sporopollenin to inhibit evaporation from leaves 
D)  remnants of chloroplasts from photosynthesizing cells 
A)  waxy cuticle to decrease evaporation from leaves 
B)  loss of structures that produce spores 
C)  sporopollenin to inhibit evaporation from leaves 
D)  remnants of chloroplasts from photosynthesizing cells

Question 20

Which of the following statements about stomata is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stomata are not important in algae because they do not need CO₂. 
B)  Stomata, when closed, allow CO₂ to diffuse into plants. 
C)  Stomata are important in terrestrial plants because they allow the roots to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. 
D)  Stomata are important in terrestrial plants because they allow CO₂ to diffuse into the plant. 
A)  Stomata are not important in algae because they do not need CO₂. 
B)  Stomata, when closed, allow CO₂ to diffuse into plants. 
C)  Stomata are important in terrestrial plants because they allow the roots to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. 
D)  Stomata are important in terrestrial plants because they allow CO₂ to diffuse into the plant.

Exam 29: Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Which taxon is essentially equivalent to the "embryophytes"?

Most moss gametophytes do not have a cuticle and are 1-2 cells thick. What does this imply about moss gametophytes and their structure?

Which of the following environmental factors probably helped early plants to successfully colonize land?

Archegonia ________.

Microphylls are found in which plant group?

What is an accurate statement about the genus Sphagnum?

A student encounters a pondweed that appears to be a charophyte. Which of the following features would help the student determine whether the sample comes from a charophyte or from some other type of green alga?

Suppose an efficient conducting system evolved in a moss that could transport water and other materials as high as a tall tree. Which of the following statements about "trees" of such a species would be accurate?

Arrange the following terms from most inclusive to least inclusive.

Apical meristems ________.

Which of the following statements about the transition from ocean to land by plants is most likely to be accurate?

The presence of vascular tissue allowed plants to ________.

If you walk through an area with mosses and ferns, you are seeing ________.

Which of the following could occur only after plants moved from the oceans to land?

What evidence do paleobotanists look for that indicates the movement of plants from water to land?

Which of the following statements about stomata is accurate?

Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific Inquiry

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

DNA Tools and Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behavior

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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