Before DNA Sequence Data Became Available, Phylogenies Constructed from Anatomical

question 135

Multiple Choice

Before DNA sequence data became available, phylogenies constructed from anatomical and morphological studies of living and fossil plants often supported gnetophytes as the sister group to the angiosperms. If this hypothesis were true, and the rest of the phylogeny as depicted in your text stayed the same, which of the following statements would be TRUE?

• A)Angiosperms would be paraphyletic.
• B)The phylogeny would support a single origin for vessels.
• C)Cycads would be the sister group to all other seed plants.
• D)Seed plants as a whole would be monophyletic.
• E)The phylogeny would support independent multiple origins of double fertilization.

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Definitions:

Vestigial Wings

Remnant wings in some organisms that have lost their primary function through evolution.

Dihybrid Cross

A breeding experiment between P generation (parental generation) organisms differing in two traits, used to determine the inheritance patterns of genes.

Mendel's Model

The set of foundational principles for genetics derived from the work of Gregor Mendel, describing how traits are inherited through dominant and recessive genes.

Hybrid Offspring

The progeny resulting from the mating of two genetically distinct individuals, often involving different species, breeds, or varieties.