Question

a. From the list of traits below, select those that are derived traits of all plants, of vascular plants, of seed plants and of angiosperms (flowering plants). (6 points)

List of traits:

1. apical meristem, 2. alternation of generations, 3. seeds, 4. flowers, 5. vascular tissue, 6. pollen.

Plants: ______________   

Vascular plants: ______________   

Seed plants: _______________                  

Angiosperms: _________________

b. Complete the sentence by choosing words in brackets: (4 points)

In Bryophytes, ____________ (gametophytes/sporophytes) are larger and longer-living than ___________ (gametophytes/sporophytes). Gametophytes are __________ (haploid/diploid), while sporophytes are___________(haploid/diploid).

Answer 1

a. Derived character are those which are not present in last common ancestor and have evolved in lineage leading upto a clade which make them unique.Considering this definition, derived characters are described below:

Derived character of plants : apical meristem alteration of generations

Derived character of vascular plants: Vascular tissue

Derived character of seed plants : seeds

Derived character of Angiosperms : Flowers, pollen

b. In Bryophytes, gametophytes are larger and longer-living than sporophytes. Gametophytes are haploid, while sporophytes are diploid.