Question

Select all of the following traits that enabled plants to adapt to life on land.

A. Vascular tissues
B. Cuticle
C. Gills
D. Chlorophyll

Answer 1

The traits that enabled plants to adapt to life on land are vascular tissues and cuticle. Vascular tissues transport resources through the plant, while the cuticle prevents water loss. Gills are not relevant, and chlorophyll is not specific to land adaptation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The traits that enabled plants to adapt to life on land include vascular tissues and cuticle. Vascular tissues, consisting of xylem and phloem, are crucial for transporting water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant. This system allows plants to survive in environments where water is not always readily available and supports the growth of taller plants, as it can deliver the necessary resources from the soil to the upper parts of the plant. On the other hand, the cuticle is a waxy layer that evolved to prevent water loss, helping the plant retain moisture. Meanwhile, chlorophyll is a pigment necessary for photosynthesis, a process that was already present in algae, the ancestor of plants, thus not an adaptation specific to land. Gills are not a trait of land plants; they are an adaptation of aquatic animals, so they do not apply to this context.

Answer 2

The traits that enabled plants to adapt to life on land are A. Vascular tissues and B. Cuticle.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plants have evolved various adaptations to successfully transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments. Vascular tissues (A) play a crucial role in this adaptation by providing a system for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. This enables efficient resource distribution and supports the development of larger and more complex plant structures.

The cuticle (B) is a waxy layer covering the plant's outer surface, helping to reduce water loss through evaporation. The cuticle acts as a protective barrier against desiccation, allowing plants to retain water and thrive in diverse terrestrial habitats.

In contrast, gills (C) are respiratory structures commonly found in aquatic organisms, facilitating gas exchange in water. Since plants adapted to life on land, the need for specialized respiratory structures like gills decreased, and they developed other mechanisms, such as stomata, for gas exchange. Chlorophyll (D) is a pigment essential for photosynthesis, but it is not a specific adaptation for life on land. While chlorophyll enables plants to harness sunlight for energy, it is found in both aquatic and terrestrial plants.

The successful colonization of land by plants involved a combination of adaptations, including vascular tissues and cuticles, which address the challenges of water transport and conservation. These traits allowed plants to thrive in diverse terrestrial environments, contributing to the rich biodiversity observed in the plant kingdom today.