Final answer:
Lignified vascular tissue, which includes the development of lignin in plant cells, is the evolutionary development that enabled plants to grow tall, providing structural support and efficient nutrient and water transport. option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolutionary development that allowed plants to grow tall is the lignified vascular tissue. This advancement made it possible for plants to transport water and minerals from the soil up to their shoots due to the combination of two types of vascular tissues: xylem and phloem. Xylem is responsible for conducting water and minerals, while phloem transports the sugars and nutrients created through photosynthesis. The incorporation of lignin into plant tissues provided additional rigidity and support, necessary for plants to grow taller while also resisting desiccation and attack by herbivores.
Lignification made stems stiffer and more capable of supporting greater biomass above ground, where plants could access more light and air. Roots, which evolved from rhizoids, significantly helped plants anchor firmly and intake water and nutrients efficiently. Meanwhile, leaves developed as large photosynthetic organs that effectively captured sunlight and allowed for greater energy production, facilitating further growth.