[Campbell Biology P.668] The text describes sporopollenin as a key adaptation for plants to ... | Practice Question

The text describes sporopollenin as a key adaptation for plants to colonize land. Which statement accurately reflects its role or related challenges/benefits of terrestrial life?

  • A: Sporopollenin is a durable polymer found in charophyte zygotes and plant spores, primarily preventing desiccation.
  • B: The move to land offered less abundant carbon dioxide, making photosynthesis more challenging.
  • C: Terrestrial habitats provided ample water supply, reducing the need for desiccation resistance.
  • D: Sporopollenin aids in structural support against gravity, which was a major challenge for early land plants.

Explanation

The text states that 'In charophytes, a layer of a durable polymer called sporopollenin prevents exposed zygotes from drying out. A similar chemical adaptation is found in the tough sporopollenin walls that encase plant spores.' This clearly indicates sporopollenin's role in desiccation resistance, a critical adaptation for life on land where water is scarcer.