Practice question
Question
The immediate ancestors of land plants are believed to be
Explanation
Molecular phylogenetics using chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear genes, ultrastructure of mitosis, and biochemistry identify Charophyta, freshwater streptophyte algae comprising Charales, Coleochaetales, Klebsormidiales and Zygnematales as closest extant relatives to embryophytes. Charophytes share cellulosic rosette cellulose synthases, phragmoplast-mediated cytokinesis with cell plate, chlorophyll a and b, starch stored inside plastids, and glycolate oxidase photorespiration pathway. Charophyte ancestor underwent terrestrialization approximately 500 million years ago. Chlorophytes diverged earlier, rhodophytes and phaeophytes belong to different supergroups with distinct pigments. This structural framework illustrates phylogenetic relationships and adaptive significance highlighted in competitive examinations focusing on comparative plant morphology and systematics.
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