[Campbell Biology P.585] Which of the following statements accurately describe the colonizat... | Practice Question
Which of the following statements accurately describe the colonization of land by life forms based on the provided text?
A: Prokaryotes were the first life forms to colonize land, appearing as early as 3.2 billion years ago.
B: Larger life forms like fungi, plants, and animals began to colonize land around 500 million years ago, enabled by specific adaptations.
C: Early land plants (around 420 million years ago) possessed true roots and leaves and a well-developed vascular system for water transport.
D: The mutually beneficial association between plants and mycorrhizal fungi was crucial for the successful colonization of land.
E: The Cambrian explosion marked the beginning of the colonization of land by all major animal groups.
Explanation
The text explicitly states that prokaryotes colonized land as early as 3.2 billion years ago. It also mentions that larger forms of life fungi, plants, animals began to colonize land around 500 million years ago, enabled by adaptations to prevent dehydration and aid reproduction on land. Furthermore, the mutualistic relationship between plants and mycorrhizal fungi is highlighted as crucial for this colonization.