Think you’ve got your head wrapped around Plant Evolution and Diversity? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. You are being consulted as an expert in plant evolution by a paleontologist who has found a new plant fossil. The plant had seeds but no roots were found. Where do you classify the plant?
Algae
Bryophytes
Ferns
Horsetails
Gymnosperms
Q. What trait is NOT unique to the seed plants?
Reduced gametophytes
Vascular tissue
Ovules
Pollen
Heterospory
Q. Phylogenetic trees are most similar to
lycophytes
conifers
beech trees
tree ferns
family trees
Q. Imagine that you are a photographer and you want to take pictures of fern gametophytes. What time of year will you go out looking?
During the hottest time of year
During the coldest time of year
During the wettest time of year
During the driest time of year
Anytime of year
Q. Your friend complains to you that she has allergies from all the pollen in the air this time of year. What type of plant might you blame for the high pollen counts?
Algae
Bryophytes
Ferns
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Q. We should thank plants for
decreasing the nitrogen content of the atmosphere
increasing the oxygen content of the atmosphere
increasing the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere
increasing the nitrogen content of the atmosphere
decreasing the oxygen content of the atmosphere
Q. Which sequence represents the correct age order of species from oldest on the left to youngest on the right?
Ferns > Bryophytes > Angiosperms > Gymnosperms
Bryophytes > Gymnosperms > Lycophytes > Algae
Algae > Bryophytes > Ferns > Seed plants
Lycophytes > Angiosperms > Ferns > Seed plants
Bryophytes > Ferns > Gymnosperms > Lycophytes
Q. Gymnosperm reproductive structures are called
Flowers
Fruits
Cones
Sori
Strobili
Q. Photosynthesis can happen in many structures. What structure does NOT do photosynthesis under any circumstances?
Stems
Microphylls
Megaphylls
Single celled cyanobacteria
All do photosynthesis, or have at some point
Q. If you had to predict a trait that might evolve in a dry climate, what is most likely?
Thick cuticles
Short root system
Dense leaves
Spores
Naked seeds