Chapter 28

Which feature(s) do ferns share with all other land plants? a. sporophyte and gametophyte life cycle stages b. gametophytes supported by a thallus c. dispersal of spores from a sorus d. asexual reproduction by way of gemmae e. water uptake by means of rhizoids.

Which of the following is/are true with respect to seedless vascular plants? a. Ferns are the most numerous species in this group. b. Lycophyte species grow the largest of all modern seedless vascular plants. c. Seedless vascular plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous ("nonwoody") species dominated Earth's terrestrial environments for nearly 200 million years. d. The strobilus, where spore-producing parts sporangia are located, is a reproductive adaptation found in all seedless vascular plants. e. In the fern life cycle, the young sporophyte is dependent on the gametophyte, but quickly develops into an independent, larger plant with its own root system and leaves where photosynthesis occurs.

A homeowner noticed moss growing between bricks on his patio. Closer examination revealed tiny brown stalles with cuplike tops emerging from green leaflets. These brown structures were: a. the sporophyte generation. b. the gametophyte generation. c. elongated haploid reproductive cells. d. archegonia. e. antheridia.

Compare the size, anatomical complexity, and degree of independence of a moss gametophyte and a fern gametophyte. Which one is the most protected from the external environment? Which trends in plant evolution does your work on this question bring to mind?