[Campbell Biology P.658] Based on the 'CONCEPT 28.4' section and the accompanying phylogenet... | Practice Question

Based on the 'CONCEPT 28.4' section and the accompanying phylogenetic diagram, which statement best describes the Archaeplastida supergroup?

  • A: Archaeplastida is composed of Excavata, SAR, and Unikonta.
  • B: It is a monophyletic group including red algae, green algae (Chlorophytes and Charophytes), and plants, originating from an ancient protist that engulfed a cyanobacterium.
  • C: The plastids of Archaeplastida evolved from a heterotrophic protist acquiring a eukaryotic endosymbiont.
  • D: Green algae within Archaeplastida gave rise to red algae.

Explanation

The text states: 'red algae, green algae, and plants make up our third eukaryotic supergroup, which is called Archaeplastida. Archaeplastida is a monophyletic group that descended from the ancient protist that engulfed a cyanobacterium.' The diagram visually supports the grouping of red algae, chlorophytes, charophytes, and plants under Archaeplastida.