Question

Pollen and seeds are considered among the most advanced characteristics in the plant kingdom. DESCRIBE the evolutionary advantage(s) does each of these offer relative to what existed before - the plesiomorphic state (this means compare it directly as in x has ... while y has... and that is advantageous because...?

Answer 1

Pollen and seeds first appeared in gymnosperms.
They are found in both gymnosperms and angiosperms.
Gymnosperms contain naked seeds. Angiosperms contain seeds enclosed in fruits.

Algae, bryophytes, and pteridophytes do not have pollen and seeds.

Advantages:
1. Due to the presence of pollen, fertilization became independent of the presence of water. This allowed plants to completely venture into terrestrial habitat.
2. Seeds allow for dormancy to avoid unfavorable conditions.
3. Seeds also allow for distribution of a species to different geographical regions.