Question

All of the following are examples of tracheophytes EXCEPT (A) trees (B) moss (C) grass (D) corn (E) beans

Short answer

The correct answer is (B) moss.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding plant classification

Firstly, the term 'tracheophyte' refers to vascular plants. These are plants that have specific tissues for conducting water and other materials. Examples include most trees, grass, corn and beans. They are distinguished from non-vascular plants.

Identifying the non-tracheophyte

As you go through the options given in the question, identify which among them doesn't belong to the Tracheophyta division. Moss is a non-vascular plant, making it the only non-tracheophyte in the list.

Key concepts

Vascular Plants

Vascular plants, also known as tracheophytes, are a group of plants that have specialized vascular tissues to transport water, nutrients, and organic substances throughout the plant. These tissues are xylem and phloem, which play crucial roles in the plant's lifecycle. Xylem conducts water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem distributes the products of photosynthesis such as sugars from the leaves.

• Xylem: Transports water and minerals.
• Phloem: Moves organic nutrients like sugars.

These vascular tissues allow the plants to grow larger and survive in various environments. Examples of vascular plants include trees, grasses, and shrubs. They can adapt to diverse habitats, from wet swamps to arid deserts. This adaptability and structural complexity contribute to their dominance in many ecosystems.

Plant Classification

Plant classification is the method by which botanists categorize plants into different groups based on shared characteristics. This classification helps in understanding plant evolution, ecology, and relationships among species. The broadest division of plants starts with vascular and non-vascular plants.

• Vascular Plants: Have xylem and phloem.
• Non-Vascular Plants: Lack these transport tissues.

Further categorization within vascular plants includes divisions such as seed-bearing (such as angiosperms and gymnosperms) and non-seed-bearing plants (such as ferns). Angiosperms are known for their flowers and fruits, while gymnosperms are conifers like pine trees. This organized structure allows botanists to systematically study plant life and understand their evolutionary history.

Non-Vascular Plants

Non-vascular plants are simple and primitive, lacking the transport tissues (xylem and phloem) that characterize vascular plants. Due to this, their size and habitat are usually more limited. Non-vascular plants often rely on direct absorption of water and nutrients from their environment, leading them to thrive in moist environments like forests and edges of streams.

• No xylem or phloem for transport.
• Generally small and moisture-dependent.

Examples of non-vascular plants include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. These plants reproduce through spores rather than seeds, and their simple structure is a reflection of their adaptations to life without a complex vascular system. Despite their simplicity, they play an important role in their ecosystems, such as contributing to soil formation and providing habitats for microorganisms. Understanding these plants gives insight into the diverse strategies life employs to survive and thrive.