AP Biology : Understanding Vascular and Avascular Plants
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology
All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Plant Biology
Fill in the blanks.
The __________ generation is dominant in the bryophyte life cycles, and the __________ generation is dominant in seedless vascular plants.
sporophyte . . . sporophyte
gametophyte . . . sporophyte
sporophyte . . . gametophyte
gametophyte . . . gametophyte
gametophyte . . . sporophyte
Bryophytes are nonvascular plants, such as mosses. Gametophytes are species that have haploid cells during their mature lives, while sporophytes are predominantly diploid during their adult phases.
Bryophytes have the gametophyte generation as dominant, with the sporophytes relying on the parental gametophyte. Starting with the evolution of seedless vascular plants, the gametophytes become reduced and are no longer the dominant life cycle. By the formation of angiosperms (seed plants), the gametophytes have become dependent on the parental sporophyte.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Alternation Of Generations
Which of the following structures would be found in a tracheophyte, but not in a bryophyte?
Cell walls
Plasmids
Chloroplasts
Xylem
Xylem
All plants can be classified as either bryophytes or tracheophytes. Plants that contain transport vessels (xylem and phloem) are tracheophytes, while those without transport vessels are bryophytes. All plants contain cell walls and chloroplasts, but only a tracheophyte would contain xylem. Plasmids are structures that are almost exclusively found in bacteria or protozoans.
Example Question #2 : Plant Biology
Which of the following is not an example of an advantage gained through the vascularization of plants?
Large size
Extensive root and shoot systems
Swimming sperm
Dominant sporophyte generation
Larger photosynthetic area
Swimming sperm
Swimming sperm is a feature of avascular and early vascular plants, who needed to remain in moist environments in order to retain water.
After gaining vascular systems, plants were able to circulate water and nutrients more efficiently, thus being able to grow larger, have more leaves, develop branched systems of roots and shoots to collect water and nutrients, and better dispersal of spores due to gains in size.
Example Question #2 : Classes Of Plant
Which of the following best describes the pith: a tissue type present in vascular plants?
It contains no parenchyma cells
It is a tissue in vascular plants that transports nutrients throughout the plant
It is a tissue in non-vascular plants that transports nutrients throughout the plant
Pith is located in leaves
It is a tissue in vascular plants that transports nutrients throughout the plant
Pith is a type of tissue located in the stems of vascular plants. It stores and transports nutrients throughout the plant. The pith is composed of parenchyma cells.
Certified Tutor
All AP Biology Resources
