BIOD 102 MODULE 2 EXAM – PORTAGE LEARNING
– 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
BIOD 102 Module 2 Exam Practice Questions
PART 1: THE EVOLUTION OF LAND PLANTS
1. Which group of green algae is the closest living relative to land plants?
A) Chlorophytes
B) Charophytes
C) Rhodophytes
D) Phaeophytes
Correct Answer: B) Charophytes
Explanation: Charophytes share unique structural and biochemical traits with land
plants, such as cellulose-synthesizing proteins, making them the closest living
relatives to land plants .
2. Land plants evolved from green algae approximately how many million years
ago?
A) 200 million
B) 475 million
C) 600 million
D) 1 billion
Correct Answer: B) 475 million
Explanation: Plants evolved from green algae approximately 475 million years
ago . This transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments required numerous
adaptations.
,3. Which of the following was a challenge to the survival of the first land plants?
A) Too much water
B) Shortage of Carbon dioxide
C) Desiccation
D) Animal predation
Correct Answer: C) Desiccation
Explanation: Desiccation (drying out) was a major challenge facing the first land
plants, as they were no longer surrounded by water and had to prevent water loss
in a terrestrial environment .
4. Cuticle, stomata, and vascular tissue are all key adaptations enabling land
plants to:
A) Reproduce more rapidly
B) Colonize land
C) Grow taller
D) Compete with animals
Correct Answer: B) Colonize land
Explanation: Cuticle (prevents water loss), stomata (allow gas exchange while
controlling water loss), and vascular tissue (transport water and nutrients) were all
essential adaptations that allowed plants to successfully colonize land .
5. The evolution of cuticle presented land plants with a challenge that
threatened their ability to live on land. Describe this challenge, and explain why
stomata represent a solution. Compare and contrast stomata with the pores
found in liverworts.
, Answer: Stomata allow CO₂ to diffuse into the plant for photosynthesis and can
close to minimize water loss. Liverwort pores allow gas exchange but cannot be
closed if conditions become dry .
6. Which of the following is NOT an evolutionary adaptation to life on land?
A) C3 photosynthesis
B) Waxy cuticle
C) Root hairs
D) Xylem and phloem
E) Guard cells
Correct Answer: A) C3 photosynthesis
Explanation: C3 photosynthesis is a metabolic pathway, not a structural
adaptation to land life. The waxy cuticle, root hairs, xylem/phloem, and guard cells
are all structural adaptations that helped plants survive on land .
7. Plants from dry habitats have ____ cuticle and have ____ stomata.
A) Thick; relatively few
B) Thick; many
C) Thin; relatively few
D) Thin; many
Correct Answer: A) Thick; relatively few
Explanation: Plants from dry habitats have thick cuticles (to minimize water loss)
and relatively few stomata (to reduce transpiration). Plants from wet habitats
have thin cuticles and large stomata .
8. In Bryophytes (mosses), which generation is dominant?
A) Sporophyte
B) Gametophyte
– 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
BIOD 102 Module 2 Exam Practice Questions
PART 1: THE EVOLUTION OF LAND PLANTS
1. Which group of green algae is the closest living relative to land plants?
A) Chlorophytes
B) Charophytes
C) Rhodophytes
D) Phaeophytes
Correct Answer: B) Charophytes
Explanation: Charophytes share unique structural and biochemical traits with land
plants, such as cellulose-synthesizing proteins, making them the closest living
relatives to land plants .
2. Land plants evolved from green algae approximately how many million years
ago?
A) 200 million
B) 475 million
C) 600 million
D) 1 billion
Correct Answer: B) 475 million
Explanation: Plants evolved from green algae approximately 475 million years
ago . This transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments required numerous
adaptations.
,3. Which of the following was a challenge to the survival of the first land plants?
A) Too much water
B) Shortage of Carbon dioxide
C) Desiccation
D) Animal predation
Correct Answer: C) Desiccation
Explanation: Desiccation (drying out) was a major challenge facing the first land
plants, as they were no longer surrounded by water and had to prevent water loss
in a terrestrial environment .
4. Cuticle, stomata, and vascular tissue are all key adaptations enabling land
plants to:
A) Reproduce more rapidly
B) Colonize land
C) Grow taller
D) Compete with animals
Correct Answer: B) Colonize land
Explanation: Cuticle (prevents water loss), stomata (allow gas exchange while
controlling water loss), and vascular tissue (transport water and nutrients) were all
essential adaptations that allowed plants to successfully colonize land .
5. The evolution of cuticle presented land plants with a challenge that
threatened their ability to live on land. Describe this challenge, and explain why
stomata represent a solution. Compare and contrast stomata with the pores
found in liverworts.
, Answer: Stomata allow CO₂ to diffuse into the plant for photosynthesis and can
close to minimize water loss. Liverwort pores allow gas exchange but cannot be
closed if conditions become dry .
6. Which of the following is NOT an evolutionary adaptation to life on land?
A) C3 photosynthesis
B) Waxy cuticle
C) Root hairs
D) Xylem and phloem
E) Guard cells
Correct Answer: A) C3 photosynthesis
Explanation: C3 photosynthesis is a metabolic pathway, not a structural
adaptation to land life. The waxy cuticle, root hairs, xylem/phloem, and guard cells
are all structural adaptations that helped plants survive on land .
7. Plants from dry habitats have ____ cuticle and have ____ stomata.
A) Thick; relatively few
B) Thick; many
C) Thin; relatively few
D) Thin; many
Correct Answer: A) Thick; relatively few
Explanation: Plants from dry habitats have thick cuticles (to minimize water loss)
and relatively few stomata (to reduce transpiration). Plants from wet habitats
have thin cuticles and large stomata .
8. In Bryophytes (mosses), which generation is dominant?
A) Sporophyte
B) Gametophyte
