Plantae - GRE Subject Test: Biology

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Question

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The __________ generation is dominant in the bryophyte life cycles, and the __________ generation is dominant in seedless vascular plants.

Answer

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.

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Question

Which of the following refers to the principle of alternation of generations in plants?

Answer

Plants have a multicellular haploid stage called the gametophyte. Gametophytes () produce gametes () through mitosis, which combine to produce a zygote (). The zygote grows into a multicellular, diploid sporophyte (), which produces spores () through meiosis. Those spores give rise to multicellular gametophytes.

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Question

Which of the following structures would be found in a tracheophyte, but not in a bryophyte?

Answer

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.

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Question

Some organisms, such as green plants, are capable of obtaining energy directly from photosynthesis. These organisms are termed __________.

Answer

Autotrophs are organisms that produce complex organic compounds from substances present in the surroundings. These organisms may do this through the use of energy from light or from inorganic chemical reactions.

In contrast, heterotrophs require organic input in order to generate biological compounds and are unable to use light or inorganic materials for energy.

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Question

What is a distinct feature of a C4 plant?

Answer

Carbon fixation converts inorganic carbon dioxide into organic carbon compounds, such as glucose and cellulose. This is a characteristic function of both C3 and C4, and is a primary purpose of light independent reactions.

Closed stomata during the day is a characteristic of CAM plants, which allows for the conservation of water that is usually lost during photorespiration.

Bundle-sheath cells are a characteristic of C4 plants. The presence of bundle-sheath cells isolates rubisco, preventing rubisco from binding to oxygen during photorespiration.

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