[Campbell Biology P.866] According to the passage, what was a key evolutionary adaptation th... | Practice Question

According to the passage, what was a key evolutionary adaptation that mycorrhizae provided to early plants colonizing land?

  • A: Protection against herbivory in the harsh terrestrial environment.
  • B: The ability to photosynthesize more efficiently in low light conditions.
  • C: Enhanced ability to extract essential mineral nutrients from the soil.
  • D: A mechanism to produce their own carbohydrates in nutrient-poor soil.

Explanation

The passage explains that early land plants lacked the ability to extract essential nutrients from the soil, while fungi were unable to manufacture carbohydrates. Mycorrhizal associations, a mutualistic symbiosis, allowed both organisms to exploit the terrestrial environment, primarily by enhancing the plant's nutrient absorption.