[Campbell Biology P.680] Based on the provided text regarding seedless vascular plants, whic... | Practice Question

Based on the provided text regarding seedless vascular plants, which of the following statements are true? Select all that apply

  • A: Lycophytes include club mosses and spikemosses, which are distinct from true mosses because they are vascular plants.
  • B: Monilophytes, despite their varied appearance, are classified together as a single phylum due to anatomical and molecular evidence.
  • C: Giant lycophyte trees, prevalent during the Carboniferous period, significantly increased in diversity during the drier Permian period.
  • D: Only lycophytes possess microphylls, while almost all other vascular plants have megaphylls.

Explanation

Option A is correct: Lycophytes club mosses, spikemosses, quillworts are seedless vascular plants, distinguishing them from nonvascular true mosses. Option B is correct: Monilophytes ferns, horsetails, whisk ferns are grouped due to anatomical and molecular evidence despite their varied appearance. Option C is incorrect: The text explicitly states that giant lycophyte trees' diversity 'declined' during the drier Permian period. Option D is correct: The text states 'All of the lycophytes—and only the lycophytes—have microphylls' and 'Almost all other vascular plants have megaphylls'.