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 true?

a. Spore dispersal distances would probably decrease.
b. Females could produce only one archegonium.
c. Unless its body parts were strengthened, such a “tree” would probably flop over.
d. Individuals would probably compete less effectively for access to light.

Question

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 true?

a. Spore dispersal distances would probably decrease.

b. Females could produce only one archegonium.

c. Unless its body parts were strengthened, such a “tree” would probably flop over.

d. Individuals would probably compete less effectively for access to light.

Accepted Answer

Welcome back. Let's look at our next problem. A short Non vascular plant evolved into a tall plant with an efficient water conducting system 420 million years ago. Which of the following statements about the later form of this plant, do you believe is correct? So we'd say we have this evolution from a short non vascular plant to a tall plant that is vascular. That's what having an efficient water conducting system means. So based on that, which statement do we believe is correct? Choice A. Says it would show a possible decrease in spore dispersion distances? Well, our plant we know is getting taller as the plant gets taller, its spores would be able to spread further. So you would expect an increase in sport dispersion distances. So Choice A. Is not correct. Choice B says it would show an increase in the number of arc ago. Nia. Well are Kagome are part of the reproductive system of ferns and mosses of seedless plants. Um But we're just we're talking about the structure and the height of the plant. So there's no reason why this evolution would cause us to expect an increase in the number of our colonia. So that wouldn't really be our correct answer. So we can eliminate choice B. Choice C says it would not have true roots, stems or leaves, roots, stems and leaves are all part of the vascular system, vascular plants have these. So Choice C. Is incorrect also. So now we're down to choice D and it says to black structures for circulating water would have appeared. Well, yes, vascular plants evolve to black structures that efficiently conduct water and food around, so that does describe what happened here. And we would expect to be correct about that later form of the plant. So Choice D. Is our answer. Hope that was helpful. See you next time.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Vascular Tissue in Plants

Reproductive Structures in Mosses

Structural Support in Tall Plants