How does the

Question

fern Glossopteris provide
evidence for the movement of
the continents?
It is the oldest plant on
Earth.
It existed in the
Permian period.
It lived at the same
time as Lystrosaurus.
It was found on many
continents.

Answer 1

The fern Glossopteris provides evidence for the movement of the continents primarily because it was found on many continents. This widespread distribution of the Glossopteris fossil across continents that are now separated by vast oceans suggests that these landmasses were once joined together in a supercontinent, such as Gondwana, allowing the plant to thrive in a single, contiguous environment before the continents drifted apart due to plate tectonics.

While it is true that Glossopteris existed in the Permian period and lived at the same time as Lystrosaurus, the key point in terms of continental movement is its fossil presence across multiple continents like South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia. This evidence supports the theory of continental drift.