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Multiple Choice
In the context of organic chemistry, the land plants are probably descendants of which of these groups?
A
Brown algae
B
Green algae
C
Cyanobacteria
D
Red algae
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the evolutionary relationship between land plants and algae. Land plants are believed to have evolved from a group of algae due to similarities in their photosynthetic pigments and other cellular structures.
Consider the types of algae: Brown algae, Red algae, and Green algae. Each of these groups has distinct characteristics and evolutionary histories.
Green algae share several key features with land plants, such as chlorophylls a and b, and the storage of starch within their chloroplasts. These similarities suggest a close evolutionary relationship.
Brown algae and Red algae have different photosynthetic pigments and storage compounds, which makes them less likely to be the direct ancestors of land plants.
Cyanobacteria, while important in the evolution of photosynthesis, are prokaryotic and not directly related to the eukaryotic lineage that led to land plants. Therefore, Green algae are the most probable ancestors of land plants.