Deck 17: The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity

Question 1

In plants, the vascular tissue made of dead cells that transport water and minerals from the roots is called

A)xylem.
B)phloem.
C)conducting tissue.
D)meristem.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following organisms has a dominant sporophyte generation and a free-living gametophyte generation?

A)moss
B)fern
C)mushroom
D)conifer

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The type of life cycle seen in plants is called

A)haploid generations.
B)gametophyte production.
C)alternation of generations.
D)diploid generations.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

During the Carboniferous period, photosynthesis in immense swamp forests removed ________ from the atmosphere, which produced a drier, cooler global climate and promoted the success of ________.

A)oxygen; ferns
B)oxygen; seed plants
C)carbon dioxide; lycophytes
D)carbon dioxide; seed plants

Question 5

In all plants, the zygote and earliest stages of the developing embryo are

A)enclosed within a seed.
B)enclosed within a pollen grain.
C)attached to and nourished by the parent plant.
D)able to disperse in a tough-walled spore.

Question 6

About 95% of all modern plant species

A)have a dominant sporophyte in their life cycle.
B)have no gametophyte.
C)have a gametophyte adapted to house a sporophyte stage.
D)have flagellated sperm.

Question 7

Mosses belong to the group of plants known as the

A)angiosperms.
B)gymnosperms.
C)bryophytes.
D)vascular plants.

Question 8

Which of the following statements correctly describes the alternation of generations in a plant life cycle?

A)Diploid sporophytes that produce spores by meiosis alternate with haploid gametophytes that produce gametes by mitosis.
B)Diploid sporophytes that produce gametes by meiosis alternate with haploid sporophytes that produce gametes by mitosis.
C)Diploid gametophytes that produce spores by mitosis alternate with haploid sporophytes that produce gametes by meiosis.
D)Diploid gametophytes that produce gametes by meiosis alternate with haploid sporophytes that produce spores by mitosis.

Question 9

The dominant stage of the moss life cycle is the

A)sporophyte.
B)gametangium.
C)pollen.
D)gametophyte.

Question 10

Gas exchange in most land plants occurs through structures called

A)stomata.
B)apical meristems.
C)vascular tissue.
D)cuticles.

Question 11

Ferns and mosses are similar because both

A)produce drought-resistant seeds.
B)have dominant sporophytes.
C)have flagellated sperm.
D)have sporophytes that produce diploid spores.

Question 12

A growth-producing region of cell division, known as a/an ________, is found near the tips of stems and roots.

A)sporangium
B)cuticle
C)apical meristem
D)lignin

Question 13

Which of the following characteristics tends to limit bryophytes and seedless vascular plants to habitats that are relatively moist?

A)absence of cuticle
B)presence of flagellated sperm
C)presence of free-living, independent zygotes and early embryos
D)presence of lignified vascular tissues

Question 14

Which of the following options correctly represents the most likely sequence of the evolution of plants, from earliest to most recent?

A)bryophytes, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms, angiosperms
B)seedless vascular plants, bryophytes, angiosperms, gymnosperms
C)bryophytes, seedless vascular plants, angiosperms, gymnosperms
D)bryophytes, gymnosperms, seedless vascular plants, angiosperms

Question 15

The ancestors of land plants were probably ________ that lived in ________.

A)green algae similar to charophytes; the open ocean
B)green algae similar to charophytes; coastal marshes or lake fringes
C)cyanobacteria; coastal marshes or lake fringes
D)cyanobacteria; moist soil crust communities

Question 16

Which of the following statements regarding ferns is true?

A)Ferns do not have lignified cell walls or well-developed roots.
B)Ferns have well-developed vascular tissue, roots, and stems.
C)Ferns produce seeds that are dispersed by water.
D)Ferns produce pollen that is dispersed by air.

Question 17

In a moss, most of the plants that we see are ________, and in a fern, the most dominant stage is the ________.

A)gametophytes; gametophyte
B)gametophytes; sporophyte
C)sporophytes; gametophyte
D)sporophytes; sporophyte

Question 18

The majority of plant species today are

A)angiosperms.
B)bryophytes.
C)gymnosperms.
D)seedless vascular plants.

Question 19

The incomplete decay of dead plants during the Carboniferous period led to

A)global warming.
B)the thinning of the ozone layer.
C)the formation of coal.
D)the formation of tropical swamps.

Question 20

In plants, the vascular tissue that consists of living cells that distribute sugars throughout the plant is called

A)xylem.
B)phloem.
C)conducting tissue.
D)meristem.

Question 21

The ________ represents the sporophyte generation of a conifer, and the ________ produces gametophytes.

A)cone; tree
B)tree; cone
C)tree; pollen
D)seed; tree

Question 22

Which of the following features would you expect to see in the flowers of wind-pollinated grasses?

A)very large, fragrant, white flowers
B)petals with UV-absorbing "nectar guides"
C)very simple flowers that produce massive quantities of pollen
D)red flowers with long nectar tubes

Question 23

Two characteristics shared by gymnosperms and angiosperms that are absent from earlier plant groups and represent key adaptations to life on dry land are

A)a vascular system and lignin.
B)flagellated sperm and gametangia.
C)flowers and fruits.
D)pollen and seeds.

Question 24

Which part of the life cycle does a pollen grain represent?

A)a spore
B)a sperm cell
C)a male gametophyte
D)a male sporophyte

Question 25

Many flower traits are specifically attractive to a certain type of pollinator. For example, the scent of rotting flesh is attractive to certain flies and beetles but not to most other pollinators. What adaptive purpose is served by this kind of "niche marketing" of flowers to specific pollinators?

A)This adaptation works to reduce pollinator traffic at a flower. Therefore, flowers do not have to produce as much nectar to feed big crowds of pollinators.
B)This adaptation reduces pollinator traffic so that flowers have a chance to develop their pollen fully before it is spread.
C)This targeting is done because the wrong kind of pollinator might eat all the pollen instead of delivering it to another flower.
D)This adaptation helps to assure that pollen will be delivered to another flower of the same species. If less specialized pollinators are used, the odds are greater that pollen will wind up on the stigma of a different species.

Question 26

Corn, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers all contain seeds and are derived from the ovary of a flowering plant. Therefore, in scientific terms, they are ________.

A)fruits.
B)vegetables.
C)sporophytes.
D)seeds.

Question 27

Some of the unique adaptations of angiosperms include their beneficial relationships with ________ and their relatively ________.

A)animals; well-developed vascular system
B)animals; rapid fertilization and seed production
C)animals; large sporophyte
D)fungi; well-developed vascular system

Question 28

Which of the following plants has a dominant sporophyte generation and a seed, but no fruit?

A)fern
B)pine tree
C)tulip
D)moss

Question 29

Which of the following represents the male gametophyte of a conifer?

A)pollen grain
B)sperm
C)pollen cone
D)tree

Question 30

To cross-fertilize flowers A and B, one would first remove flower A's immature ________ and later transfer pollen from flower B to flower A's ________.

A)carpe; ovule
B)anthers; stamen
C)stamens; stigma
D)stigma; style

Question 31

Red maples and other wind-pollinated plants invest relatively little in producing ________ but must invest a great deal in producing ________ to achieve good pollination rates.

A)floral scents; showy petals
B)showy or scented flowers; massive amounts of pollen
C)pollen; showy or scented flowers
D)seeds; massive amounts of pollen

Question 32

A cocklebur is dispersed by ________, whereas most fleshy, edible fruits are eaten by animals that ________.

A)wind; fully digest the fruits, including the seeds, which are killed
B)water currents; defecate the intact seeds
C)hitching rides on animals; fully digest the fruits, including the seeds, which are killed
D)hitching rides on animals; defecate the intact seeds

Question 33

The angiosperm plant we see represents the ________ generation, and the flower produces ________.

A)sporophyte; gametophytes
B)sporophyte; bryophytes
C)gametophyte; sporophytes
D)gametophyte; bryophytes

Question 34

One of the factors that helps animal-pollinated flowering plants transfer pollen to plants of the same species is that

A)pollinators are able to rapidly extract nectar from any species of flower, regardless of the pollinators' past or recent experience with a given flower type.
B)most pollinators broadly use many different types of flowers.
C)many pollinators have limited learning capacities and are most successful at obtaining food if they continue to visit the same type of flower after learning how to extract its nectar.
D)each species of pollinator typically visits flowers of one and only one plant species.

Question 35

The ripened ovary of a flower, which is adapted to disperse seeds, is called a/an

A)ovule.
B)casing.
C)fruit.
D)sporangium.

Question 36

In angiosperms, pollen grains develop in the ________ and land on the ________.

A)anther; stigma
B)stigma; anther
C)anther; ovary
D)carpel; stamen

Question 37

The ________ is the protective chamber that houses the ovule and later matures to become the fruit.

A)ovary
B)carpel
C)sepals
D)stigma

Question 38

Corn, rice, wheat, fleshy fruits such as apples and berries, and many spices are all produced by

A)gymnosperms.
B)ferns.
C)angiosperms.
D)seedless plants.

Question 39

Plants dependent on nocturnal (night-flying)pollinators typically have flowers that

A)absorb UV light.
B)are small.
C)are large, light-colored, and highly scented.
D)are located close to the ground and smell of rotting flesh.

Question 40

Which structure is found in angiosperms but not gymnosperms?

A)fruit
B)spores
C)seeds
D)ovule

Question 41

Fungi are found associated with the earliest plant fossils. Fungi may have helped plants become terrestrial by

A)forming mycorrhizal associations with plants and by decomposing organic matter.
B)stocking the soil with organic matter.
C)providing simple organic compounds in return for sugars.
D)killing the bacterial enemies of plants.

Question 42

Which type of reproduction is typical in molds?

A)sexual reproduction through mating of two diploid parent mycelia
B)sexual reproduction through fusion of two haploid parent mycelia and subsequent production of haploid spores
C)asexual reproduction through budding
D)asexual reproduction through the production of spores

Question 43

Which of the following statements regarding fungi is false?

A)Fungi are important decomposers in ecosystems.
B)Fungi can only break down plant material.
C)The distinctive flavor of certain cheeses is due to fungi.
D)The first antibiotic discovered came from a fungus.

Question 44

The heterokaryotic phase of a fungal life cycle is

A)a stage in which the hyphae contain only one type of haploid nucleus.
B)a stage in which hyphae contain two genetically different haploid nuclei.
C)a stage in which hyphae contain two genetically different diploid nuclei.
D)a triploid stage formed by the fusion of a diploid nucleus with the haploid nucleus of a compatible hypha.

Question 45

Threadlike fungal filaments are called

A)mycelia.
B)hyphae.
C)vascular bundles.
D)mold.

Question 46

Fungal diseases common in ________ include ________ and ________.

A)plants; smuts; rusts
B)animals; smuts; chytrids
C)plants; ringworm; coccidioidomycosis
D)humans; rusts; vaginal yeast

Question 47

Heterotrophic eukaryotes that digest their food externally and absorb the small molecules are referred to as

A)bacteria.
B)fungi.
C)plants.
D)multicellular algae.

Question 48

Most familiar types of mushrooms, along with puffballs and shelf fungi, are

A)chytrids.
B)ascomycetes.
C)zygomycetes.
D)basidiomycetes.

Question 49

Fungi contact and absorb food through the ________, a branching network of ________.

A)mycelium; hyphae
B)hyphae; mycelia
C)mycorrhiza; mushrooms
D)mushroom; hyphae

Question 50

The intimate, mutually beneficial association formed between a fungus and the root of a plant is called a

A)sporophyte.
B)mycorrhiza.
C)hypha.
D)mycelium.

Question 51

Which of the following occurs in the sexual reproduction phase of the fungus life cycle?

A)Hyphae of two different mating types fuse.
B)Diploid nuclei form, undergo meiosis, and produce haploid spores.
C)Heterokaryotic cells separate to re-create the original haploid hyphae.
D)Spores germinate and form a haploid mycelium.

Question 52

The main causes of the loss of plant biodiversity include

A)plant diseases and clear-cutting of forests to create farmland.
B)herbivory, logging, and air pollution.
C)clear-cutting of forests to create farmland and logging.
D)plant diseases and herbivory.

Question 53

A mushroom

A)is composed of many threadlike filaments called mycorrhizae.
B)is specialized to obtain most of the nutrients for the fungal mycelium.
C)is an independent stage in the alternation of generations of the fungal life cycle.
D)is an aboveground reproductive structure connected to a mycelium.

Question 54

The loss of plant biodiversity, including the wild relatives of crop species, is harmful because these wild relatives

A)feed most of the world's population.
B)may be suitable for domestication and regional production.
C)are often tastier than existing crops.
D)are a source of genetic diversity that could be used to modify or bolster existing crops.

Question 55

An experimental forest ecosystem is enclosed in a sealed greenhouse. The entire ecosystem, including the air and soil, is treated with an extremely potent fungicide that kills all fungal life stages including spores. What will probably happen next?

A)Tree growth will increase because the dead fungi will act as a fertilizer.
B)Plants will enjoy a long-term increase in growth and survival because of the removal of fungal pathogens.
C)Dead organic matter will accumulate on the forest floor; plant growth will decline because of a lack of nutrients and the loss of mycorrhizal partners.
D)A few animals will go extinct due to loss of their fungal food sources, but otherwise the forest will be largely unchanged.

Question 56

If fungi of the genus Cordyceps are ingested by insects, fruiting bodies will form and erupt through the bodies of the insects. Cordyceps are an example of

A)symbiosis.
B)parasitic fungi.
C)lichens.
D)mycorrhizae.

Question 57

Gangrene, hallucinations, temporary insanity, and even death can result when humans consume grain infested with

A)corn smut.
B)chytrids.
C)coccidioidomycosis.
D)ergots.

Question 58

The last common ancestor of animals and fungi was probably ________, like the spores of ________ fungi.

A)flagellated; chytrid
B)flagellated; mold
C)multicellular; chytrid
D)nonflagellated; yeast

Question 59

Which of the following structures is an essential part of most fungal reproductive systems?

A)gametangia
B)cellulose
C)seeds
D)spores

Question 60

About 80% of plants have mycorrhizae linking them to

A)chytrids.
B)glomeromycetes.
C)ascomycetes.
D)basidiomycetes.

Question 61

The plant genus Pinus reaches optimal growth when it grows with the fungal genus Suillusis. The ________ of the fungus give Pinus water and mineral nutrients, while Pinus gives the fungus sugars and organic macromolecules. Pinus and Suillusis have a ________ relationship.

A)hyphae; symbiotic
B)spores; symbiotic
C)chitin; eukaryotic
D)fruit; endothermic

Question 62

A maple tree's seeds occur in pairs that are enclosed and attached to flat "wings" that are made of a papery tissue. The wings' shape allows them to spin in the air as they fall from the tree; this unusual motion has earned them the nickname "helicopter seeds." Maple tree seeds are most successful when they are dispersed by ________.

A)wind
B)water
C)animal feces
D)bird feces

Question 63

After reading the statement below, answer the questions that follow.
A leaf with a higher density of stomata can take up more CO₂ and release more water than a leaf with a lower density of stomata.
The stomata found on fossil plants can be a reliable way to measure past carbon dioxide levels. Normally, fossil plants with high density of stomata indicate ________ carbon dioxide levels and fossil plants with only a few stomata indicate ________ carbon dioxide levels.

A)low; high
B)high; high
C)low; low
D)high; low

Question 64

After reading the paragraph below, answer the questions that follow.
Crop plants can have higher densities of stomata on the underside of their leaves than on the surfaces of their leaves. Some scientists hypothesize that that the evolution of this adaptation enhanced the ability of these plants to regulate the rate of CO₂ uptake for each surface.
Suppose you wanted to test this hypothesis using sunflower plants. Which of the following would be the best procedure regarding the groups you use in your experiment?

A)Choose two equal-size groups of sunflower plants. One would be the experimental group and one would be the control group.
B)Choose equal-size groups of sunflower plants and zinnia plants. The sunflower plants would be the experimental group and the zinnia plants would be the control group.
C)Choose two groups of sunflower plants. The experimental group would have twice as many plants as the control group.
D)Choose two groups of sunflower plants. The experimental group would have half as many plants as the control group.

Question 65

It is difficult to tell if a mushroom sticking out of the ground is a living, reproducing organism. Which of the following would be the best evidence to demonstrate that mushrooms are living, reproducing organisms?

A)flagellated sperm
B)pollen
C)lignin
D)spore production and dispersal

Question 66

Which of the following statements is true?

A)Gymnosperms have seeds that are not enclosed in a protective casing, while angiosperms have flowers that produce seeds with a protective casing.
B)Gymnosperms have flowers that produce seeds with a protective casing, while angiosperms have seeds that are not enclosed in a protective casing.
C)Gymnosperms lack true roots and leaves, while angiosperms lack lignin cell walls.
D)Gymnosperms lack seeds, while angiosperms have flowers that produce seeds with a protective casing.

Question 67

Suppose you take two young cuttings of a house plant. You cut the roots off of one cutting and then place both cuttings in a jar of red dye. After 20 minutes, the roots, stem, and leaves of the cutting with roots have turned pink. The cutting without roots has not changed color at all. Why has the cutting without roots remained a normal, green color?

A)Cutting the roots has damaged the xylem, so the plant can no longer take up water.
B)Cutting the roots has damaged the phloem, so the plant can no longer take up water.
C)Cutting the roots has damaged the apical meristem, so the plant can no longer take up water.
D)Cutting the roots has damaged the sporangia, so the plant can no longer take up water.

Question 68

According to this figure, at what time in the evolutionary history of plants did vascular systems likely first evolve?

A)475 mya
B)460 mya
C)425 mya
D)360 mya

Question 69

You enjoy learning about history by studying gravestones throughout North America. You notice that gravestones from 1900 and earlier usually host many types of lichens. But in one cemetery, lichens are entirely absent, even from old gravestones. Given what is known about lichens, the cemetery without lichens probably

A)has an unusually dry climate.
B)is subject to extremely cold winter temperatures.
C)gets a great deal of rain, which favors the growth of competing bacteria.
D)is close to a source of air pollution.

Question 70

After reading the statement below, answer the questions that follow.
A leaf with a higher density of stomata can take up more CO₂ and release more water than a leaf with a lower density of stomata.
Consider two plant types: 1. Plants that grow in arid (dry)environments
2) Plants that grow in moist (e.g., wetland)environments
Which plant would you expect to have more stomata, and why?

A)the first type, because plants in arid environments need to release as much water as possible
B)the first type, because plants in arid environments need to conserve as much water as possible
C)the second type, because plants in moist environments need to conserve as much water as possible
D)The two types should have equal numbers of stomata, because they both need to maintain the same water balance in their cells.

Question 71

Different kinds of mycorrhizae occur in different ecosystems. For example, as you walk up a mountain, you might find one type of mycorrhizae in lower regions and a second, different type of mycorrhizae in higher regions. Why are there mycorrhizae specific to certain ecosystems?

A)Mycorrhizae are adapted to the altitude.
B)Mycorrhizae are adapted to the type of slope of the land.
C)Mycorrhizae tend to colonize all levels of the mountain.
D)Mycorrhizae are adapted to the type of soil and the type of vegetation present.

Question 72

Tomato seeds are often consumed by birds or other organisms and then dispersed through their feces. However, when tomatoes rot on the vine, organisms may not consume them. How would tomato seeds likely disperse in this situation?

A)When the tomato rots, it drops to the ground and the seeds fall in the soil.
B)Summer rains carry the seeds to a new area.
C)Windy conditions carry the seeds to a new area.
D)The tomato disperses its seeds as spores.

Question 73

What kind of entity is a lichen?

A)an association between a fungus and a brown alga
B)an association between a multicellular protist related to the brown algae and a bacterium
C)an association between a fungus and cyanobacteria or green algae
D)an association between a bryophyte and a fungus

Question 74

After reading the paragraphs below, answer the questions that follow.
Scientists believe that a shift from pollination by insects to pollination by birds occurred several times over the course of angiosperm evolution. Two researchers designed an experiment to investigate how these shifts might evolve using two species of monkey flower (Mimulus spp.). M. lewisii has violet-pink flowers and is pollinated by bumblebees. M. cardinalis has orange-red flowers and is pollinated by hummingbirds.
The researchers switched flower-color genes between the two species. As a result of the gene transfer, they produced a variation of M. cardinalis with dark pink flowers (instead of the original orange-red) and a variation of M. lewisiis with orange flowers (instead of the original violet-pink). Plants of both genetically altered varieties were placed in their original habitats and observed. The genetically altered variety of M. cardinalis was visited by bumblebees 74 times more often than plants with the original color flowers. The genetically altered variety of M. lewisii was visited by hummingbirds 68 times more often than plants with the original color flowers.
Based on the results of this study, you can conclude that

A)petal color won't contribute to speciation, since pollinators will select familiar plant species regardless of petal color.
B)gene mutations that affect petal color will also affect nectar production.
C)gene mutations affecting petal color can contribute to speciation through a shift in pollinator species.
D)flower color does not appear to be an important factor in the speciation of flowering angiosperms.

Question 75

After reading the paragraph below, answer the questions that follow.
Crop plants can have higher densities of stomata on the underside of their leaves than on the surfaces of their leaves. Some scientists hypothesize that that the evolution of this adaptation enhanced the ability of these plants to regulate the rate of CO₂ uptake for each surface.
You designed and performed an experiment that measured CO₂ gas exchange levels at the upper side of a sunflower leaf (fewer stomata)and the bottom side of a sunflower leaf (greater stomata). After collecting and analyzing your data, you conclude that there was not a significant difference in CO₂ gas exchange between the two sides of the leaf. Which of the following possibly explains this finding?

A)The difference in the density of stomata on the two leaf surfaces is not likely due to an adaptation related to gas exchange regulation.
B)The difference in the density of stomata on the two leaf surfaces is likely due to specific mechanisms that sunflowers use to disperse their seeds.
C)The difference in the density of stomata on the two leaf surfaces is likely due to mycorrhizal associations with other plants.
D)The difference in the density of stomata on the two leaf surfaces is likely due to different pollination needs for each surface.

Question 76

Mycorrhizal fungi are sometimes purposely introduced to new areas of land that are used for growing plants for commercial uses (e.g., landscaping, crop production, timber production). What would be the benefit of doing this?

A)The fungi absorb toxic pesticides from the ground.
B)The fungi help facilitate horticulture, agriculture, and forestry.
C)The fungi promote the evolution of new fungus species.
D)The fungi prevent competitive plant species from growing.

Question 77

A comet orchid has creamy white-colored flowers and a characteristic "tail" that contains the flower's nectar. This orchid does not emit a scent during daylight hours but is aromatic at night. The comet orchid is most likely pollinated by

A)windy nighttime conditions.
B)pollen traveling on animal fur.
C)a nocturnal pollinator.
D)moisture from cool evenings.

Question 78

Which part of this figure represents the anther?

A)structure A
B)structure B
C)structure C
D)structure D

Question 79

After reading the paragraphs below, answer the questions that follow.
Scientists believe that a shift from pollination by insects to pollination by birds occurred several times over the course of angiosperm evolution. Two researchers designed an experiment to investigate how these shifts might evolve using two species of monkey flower (Mimulus spp.). M. lewisii has violet-pink flowers and is pollinated by bumblebees. M. cardinalis has orange-red flowers and is pollinated by hummingbirds.
The researchers switched flower-color genes between the two species. As a result of the gene transfer, they produced a variation of M. cardinalis with dark pink flowers (instead of the original orange-red) and a variation of M. lewisiis with orange flowers (instead of the original violet-pink). Plants of both genetically altered varieties were placed in their original habitats and observed. The genetically altered variety of M. cardinalis was visited by bumblebees 74 times more often than plants with the original color flowers. The genetically altered variety of M. lewisii was visited by hummingbirds 68 times more often than plants with the original color flowers.
The evolution of easily modified flower colors that can make plants attractive to animals was an important factor in angiosperm evolution because

A)plants have no way to cross-pollinate without the intervention of animals.
B)animals are more effective at delivering pollen to other flowers than is the wind.
C)flower color attracts animals that can disperse the seeds of the plant.
D)successful evolution requires interactions between plants and animals.