[Campbell Biology P.678] Which of the following traits is shared by both bryophytes and earl... | Practice Question

Which of the following traits is shared by both bryophytes and early seedless vascular plants?

  • A: Presence of vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).
  • B: Dominant sporophyte generation in their life cycle.
  • C: Reliance on flagellated sperm that swim through a film of water to reach eggs.
  • D: Ability to grow tall due to structural support.

Explanation

Both bryophytes and early seedless vascular plants like ferns require a film of water for their flagellated sperm to swim to the eggs for reproduction. Vascular tissues and dominant sporophyte generations are distinguishing features of vascular plants that allowed them to grow taller, but the water dependence for reproduction remained a shared ancestral trait.