Question

The diagram shows a cladogram for plants. Which statement is supported by the cladogram? a Flowering plants and charophytes have megaphylls. b Gymnosperms contain vascular tissue. c Club mosses and ferns produce seeds for reproduction. d Liverworts show apical growth.

Answer 1

To determine which statement is supported by the cladogram for plants, we can analyze the options based on general plant evolutionary relationships:

a) **Flowering plants and charophytes have megaphylls.**
- Charophytes (green algae) do not have megaphylls; this statement is incorrect.

b) **Gymnosperms contain vascular tissue.**
- Gymnosperms do contain vascular tissue, so this statement is likely correct and supported by most cladograms.

c) **Club mosses and ferns produce seeds for reproduction.**
- Club mosses (Lycophytes) and ferns (Pterophytes) do not produce seeds; they reproduce via spores. This statement is incorrect.

d) **Liverworts show apical growth.**
- Liverworts typically do not exhibit true apical growth like higher plants; this statement is also likely incorrect.

Based on this analysis, the statement that is supported by the cladogram is:

**b) Gymnosperms contain vascular tissue.**