The correct answers are a Cuticle, e Seeds, and f Vascular system. These early land plant innovations served to protect land plant offspring by providing them with a means of survival in the harsh terrestrial environment.
What are these plant innovations?
Cuticle: A waxy layer that coats the leaves and stems of plants, the cuticle helps to prevent water loss and protect against desiccation. This was particularly important for early land plants, as they were not yet adapted to conserving water as efficiently as their modern counterparts.
Spores: Spores are haploid reproductive units that are produced by mosses, ferns, and other non-seed-producing land plants. Spores have a tough outer coat that helps to protect them from the elements and allows them to survive in a dormant state until conditions are favorable for germination.
Sporophyte dominance: In the life cycle of mosses, ferns, and other non-seed-producing land plants, the sporophyte is the dominant phase. The sporophyte is the diploid generation that produces spores. Sporophyte dominance allows for the production of a large number of spores, which increases the chances of offspring surviving and reproducing.
Secondary growth: Secondary growth is the thickening of stems and roots in woody plants. This thickening provides structural support and allows for increased water transport. Secondary growth is important for seed plants, as it allows them to grow larger and more complex than non-seed-producing land plants.
Seeds: Seeds are specialized reproductive units that are produced by seed plants. Seeds contain an embryo, a food supply, and a protective coat. This combination of features allows seeds to survive in a dormant state for long periods of time until conditions are favorable for germination.
Complete question:
which early land plant innovations specifically served to protect land plant offspring? please select all correct answers.
a Cuticle. b Spores. с Sporophyte dominance. d Secondary growth. e Seeds. f Vascular system.