Question

Adaptations that correlate with the adaptive success of angiosperms include: a. seeds borne on cones. b. protection of the ovule inside an ovary. c. seed dispersal by way of fruits. d. coevolution with animals that pollinate flowers. e. nourishment of developing embryos by tissues of the female gametophyte.

Short answer

The adaptations that correlate with the adaptive success of angiosperms are b. protection of the ovule inside an ovary, c. seed dispersal by way of fruits, d. coevolution with animals that pollinate flowers, and e. nourishment of developing embryos by tissues of the female gametophyte.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Key Terms

Familiarize yourself with the terms used in the question. Angiosperms, also known as flowering plants, have specific adaptations that contribute to their widespread success. Seeds, ovules, ovaries, seed dispersal, fruits, coevolution, pollination, embryos, and gametophytes are all important terms related to the reproduction of angiosperms.

Evaluate Each Option

Analyze each option in the context of angiosperm adaptations. Determine if each adaptation is characteristic of angiosperms and has contributed to their success as a group.

Identify Incorrect Options

Identify the adaptations that do not apply to angiosperms. For example, 'a. seeds borne on cones' is a characteristic of gymnosperms, not angiosperms.

Confirm Correct Adaptations

Confirm the adaptations that are specific to angiosperms and have contributed to their success. These will include the protection of ovules inside an ovary, seed dispersal through fruits, coevolution with pollinators, and nourishment of embryos by maternal tissues.

Key concepts

Flowering Plant Reproduction

Flowering plants, or angiosperms, have developed complex reproductive processes that significantly contribute to their adaptive success. The reproduction cycle begins with the flower, the sexual organ of the plant, which is responsible for producing seeds. Each flower generally includes male parts known as stamens, which produce pollen, and female parts called carpels, which house the ovary and ovules. Pollination takes place when pollen from the stamens is transferred to the stigma on the carpel, often facilitated by wind or pollinators like bees and birds.

After successful pollination, fertilization occurs within the ovary; the pollen tube allows sperm to reach the egg inside an ovule. The fertilized egg then develops into a seed. From this point, the ovary begins to mature into a fruit, which serves as a vessel for seed protection and dispersal. This sophisticated cycle ensures both the continuation of the species and the dispersal of offspring.

Seed Dispersal Mechanisms

Seed dispersal is an essential mechanism in the life cycle of angiosperms, playing a crucial role in their survival and spread. Dispersal is the process by which seeds are spread away from the parent plant to reduce competition for resources and increase the likelihood of colonization in new environments. Angiosperms have evolved several methods for this purpose:

• Wind Dispersal: Lightweight seeds with wings or fluff can be carried by the wind. Examples include dandelion fluff and maple samaras.
• Water Dispersal: Some plants produce seeds that can float and travel by water. This is common in plants like coconuts that grow near water bodies.
• Animal Dispersal: Seeds can cling to animal fur or be buried as food reserves and forgotten, leading to the growth of new plants elsewhere.
• Ballistic Dispersal: Some seeds are ejected forcefully from the parent plant by a mechanical action known as dehiscence.

In each case, the plant has developed specialized structures or strategies to take advantage of these natural forces or behaviors to spread its progeny.

Coevolution with Pollinators

Coevolution with pollinators is a particularly fascinating aspect of angiosperm adaptation. It refers to the reciprocal evolutionary influence between flowering plants and their pollinators. Over time, angiosperms and their pollinators have developed intricate relationships that enhance the reproductive success of both parties. For example, a flower's shape, color, and scent are often specifically adapted to attract a particular pollinator – be it a bee, bird, bat, or butterfly – which in turn has developed adaptations that make it an effective carrier of pollen.

On the plant side, nectar, a nutritious fluid, is offered as a reward, and in some plants, this is timed to release when their specific pollinators are most active. Meanwhile, pollinators might evolve longer proboscises for accessing nectar in deep flowers or specific flight patterns for more efficient plant visits. This mutualistic relationship signifies joint evolution and results in the extraordinary variety of plant-pollinator interactions witnessed in nature.

Ovary Protection in Plants

Protection of the ovary is a critical adaptation in flowering plants, helping to safeguard their reproductive potential. The ovary, located within the female parts of the flower, encloses and protects the ovules where fertilization occurs. In angiosperms, the ovary is situated within the carpel, which protects the developing seeds from physical damage, desiccation, and predation.

As the ovary develops into fruit post-fertilization, it not only continues to protect the seeds but also participates in dispersal mechanisms. The structure of the fruit, whether it is fleshy and edible or hard and indigestible, is tied closely to the plant's strategy for getting its seeds spread as far from the parent as possible. This might involve being eaten and then excreted by an animal or simply creating a tough casing that can withstand harsh environmental conditions until germination is possible.