[Campbell Biology P.651] Which statement accurately describes the relationship between the s... | Practice Question

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between the specialized structures of brown algae and the true organs of plants, according to the provided text?

  • A: Brown algae possess true tissues and organs, making them evolutionary precursors to land plants.
  • B: Structures like holdfasts, stipes, and blades in brown algae are true organs and share a common evolutionary origin with plant roots, stems, and leaves.
  • C: Brown algae structures such as holdfasts, stipes, and blades resemble plant organs but are not true tissues or organs, indicating convergent evolution.
  • D: All multicellular algae, including brown algae, have true tissues and organs, distinguishing them from unicellular protists.

Explanation

The text states: 'Some brown algal seaweeds have specialized structures that resemble organs in plants, such as a rootlike holdfast, which anchors the alga, and a stemlike stipe, which supports the leaflike blades Figure 28.13 . Unlike plants, however, brown algae lack true tissues and organs. Moreover, morphological and DNA data show that these similarities evolved'. This indicates convergent evolution, where similar forms evolve independently.