Pteridophytes - classification (Sporne 1976), distribution of extinct and extant forms, comparative morphology and anatomy of sporophytes, gametophyte structure and development (Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Sphenopsida, Pteropsida) - Question Bank

1. Which extinct group of Lycopsida, like *Sigillaria*, featured large, ribbed stems and spore-bearing organs arranged spirally?
A) Calamitales
B) Lepidodendrales
C) Psilophytales
D) Equisetales
2. The term 'Pteropsida' in Sporne's classification primarily encompasses:
A) Whisk ferns and horsetails
B) Club mosses and spikemosses
C) Ferns, seed ferns, and modern seed plants
D) Extinct Devonian plants like *Rhynia*
3. Sporne's classification (1976) groups the clubmosses and their allies into which division?
A) Psilophyta
B) Sphenophyta
C) Pterophyta
D) Lycophyta
4. In *Selaginella* (Lycopsida), the larger spore type develops into:
A) A male gametophyte
B) A female gametophyte
C) A sporophyte
D) Antheridia only
5. The evolution of vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) is a key feature that distinguishes Pteridophytes from:
A) Gymnosperms
B) Angiosperms
C) Bryophytes
D) Seed Ferns
6. Which extinct Pteridophyte group is characterized by dichotomous branching, terminal sporangia, and the absence of true leaves and roots?
A) Lycopsida
B) Sphenopsida
C) Psilophytales
D) Pteropsida
7. The presence of sporangia clustered on the underside of fern leaves (fronds) in definite groups is characteristic of:
A) Strobili
B) Sori
C) Sporangiophores
D) Cones
8. What is the term for the vascular tissue arrangement where xylem and phloem are arranged in separate, distinct strands, often with a pith?
A) Protostele
B) Siphonostele
C) Polycyclic stele
D) Actinostele
9. The 'seed ferns' (Pteridospermatophyta) are classified under which major group according to Sporne's system?
A) Lycophyta
B) Sphenophyta
C) Pterophyta
D) Psilophyta
10. Which class of Pteridophytes includes the extinct 'Calamites' and the living 'Horsetails'?
A) Psilopsida
B) Lycopsida
C) Sphenopsida
D) Pteropsida
11. The development of a prominent, independent sporophyte generation is a defining characteristic of:
A) Algae
B) Bryophytes
C) Pteridophytes
D) Gymnosperms
12. The female gametangium in Pteridophytes, which produces the egg cell, is known as:
A) Antheridium
B) Sporangium
C) Oogonium
D) Archegonium
13. The gametophyte generation in Pteridophytes is responsible for producing gametes. The male gametangium is called:
A) Oogonium
B) Archegonium
C) Antheridium
D) Sporophyte
14. Which of the following is a key anatomical feature of the stem in Lycopsida?
A) Distinct pith and cortex with vascular bundles arranged in a ring.
B) Hollow, jointed stem with ridged surface.
C) Solid central xylem (protostele) or a siphonostele with leaf gaps.
D) Absence of vascular tissue.
15. The structure responsible for spore production in Pteridophytes, typically containing spores, is called a:
A) Gametangium
B) Sporangium
C) Sporophyll
D) Zygote
16. The vascular bundles in the stem of a fern (Pteropsida) are typically arranged in a:
A) Protostele
B) Siphonostele or Dictyostele
C) Actinostele
D) Haplostele
17. Which of the following extinct groups is considered a precursor to modern conifers and flowering plants due to its seed-bearing structures?
A) Rhyniophytes
B) Lepidodendrales
C) Seed Ferns (Pteridospermatophyta)
D) Calamitales
18. The development of the gametophyte from a single spore within the spore wall is termed:
A) Exosporic
B) Endosporic
C) Homosporous
D) Heterosporous
19. Heterospory, the production of two types of spores, is a significant evolutionary development in Pteridophytes. Which group prominently exhibits heterospory?
A) Psilopsida
B) Most Lycopsida (e.g., *Selaginella*)
C) Most Sphenopsida
D) Most Pteropsida (Ferns)
20. The extinct group Equisetales, within Sphenopsida, is represented today by the genus:
A) Lycopodium
B) Selaginella
C) Equisetum
D) Adiantum
21. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the sporophyte of *Psilotum*?
A) Dichotomous branching
B) Lack of true roots
C) Presence of large, compound fronds
D) Bifid sporangia
22. The presence of endodermis with Casparian strips in the stele is a characteristic feature found in:
A) All Pteridophytes
B) Only Lycopsida
C) Only Sphenopsida
D) Generally in the stems and roots of Pteridophytes
23. In many ferns (Pteropsida), the gametophyte is a small, heart-shaped, photosynthetic structure called a:
A) Prothallus
B) Rhizome
C) Sporangium
D) Antheridium
24. The development of the vascular system in the stem of Pteridophytes often involves the formation of a central core of xylem and phloem, known as:
A) Cortex
B) Epidermis
C) Stele
D) Pith
25. Which extinct group shows a transition towards seed habit, possessing fern-like leaves and some heterospory?
A) Psilophytales
B) Lepidodendrales (Lycopsida)
C) Medullosales (Pteropsida, Seed Ferns)
D) Calamitales (Sphenopsida)
26. The strobilus (cone) in Lycopsida and Sphenopsida is composed of modified leaves called:
A) Fronds
B) Sporophylls
C) Tracheids
D) Rhizoids
27. What is the primary difference between microphylls and megaphylls in Pteridophytes?
A) Microphylls are always associated with sporangia; megaphylls are not.
B) Microphylls have a single vascular strand; megaphylls have multiple vascular strands.
C) Microphylls are always simple; megaphylls are always compound.
D) Microphylls are derived from fused telomes; megaphylls are not.
28. Sporne's (1976) classification places the ferns and seed ferns into which of the following groups?
A) Lycophyta
B) Sphenophyta
C) Pterophyta
D) Psilophyta
29. The 'Rhyniophytes', such as *Rhynia* and *Hornea*, are important representatives of which extinct group?
A) Early Lycopsida
B) Early Sphenopsida
C) Early Psilophytales
D) Early Pteropsida
30. Which Pteridophyte class is characterized by the presence of true roots, stems, and leaves, with leaves being megaphyllous?
A) Psilopsida
B) Lycopsida
C) Sphenopsida
D) Pteropsida
31. The vascular tissues in the stele of many Pteridophytes are arranged in a pattern characteristic of:
A) Protostele
B) Siphonostele
C) Dictyostele
D) All of the above, depending on the group and age
32. Which of the following is a characteristic of the sporophyte anatomy of *Equisetum* (Sphenopsida)?
A) Solid vascular cylinder and absence of pith.
B) Hollow stem with prominent ridges and valleculae.
C) Differentiated into root, stem, and leaves.
D) Presence of large, compound leaves (fronds).
33. The gametophyte of *Psilotum* is:
A) Exosporic, subterranean, and saprophytic
B) Exosporic, aerial, and photosynthetic
C) Endosporic and dioecious
D) Homosporous and bisexual
34. The development of the gametophyte in Pteridophytes can be exosporic or endosporic. Which group primarily exhibits endosporic gametophyte development?
A) Psilopsida
B) Lycopsida
C) Sphenopsida
D) Pteropsida
35. In typical ferns (Pteropsida), the sporangia are often clustered in structures called:
A) Strobili
B) Sori
C) Sporophylls
D) Cones
36. The characteristic coiled vernation (circinate vernation) is a hallmark of which Pteridophyte group?
A) Lycopsida
B) Sphenopsida
C) Pteropsida (Ferns)
D) Psilopsida
37. Which extinct group of Lycopsida had massive trees that contributed significantly to coal formation?
A) Calamites
B) Lepidodendron
C) Psilotum
D) Equisetum
38. Sphenopsida are recognized by their:
A) Dichotomously branched stems and scale-like leaves.
B) Jointed stems with whorled leaves and often terminal cones.
C) Large, broad leaves (megaphylls) and coiled young leaves.
D) Rhizomes with aerial stems and scale-like appendages.
39. In Lycopsida, the leaves are typically microphylls. What characterizes a microphyll?
A) A large, complex leaf with multiple vascular strands.
B) A small leaf with a single, unbranched vascular strand.
C) A leaf modified for spore production.
D) A leaf that develops from a telome.
40. What is the term for the leaf-like appendages bearing sporangia in many Pteridophytes, particularly in Lycopsida?
A) Sporophylls
B) Microphylls
C) Megaphylls
D) Fronds
41. The class Pteropsida includes:
A) Club mosses
B) Horsetails
C) Ferns and seed ferns
D) Whisk ferns
42. Which extinct group, closely related to modern horsetails, had woody stems and large cones?
A) Lepidodendron (Lycopsida)
B) Calamites (Sphenopsida)
C) Archaeopteris (Pteropsida)
D) Rhynia (Psilopsida)
43. Lycopsida are characterized by:
A) Scale leaves and sporangia borne on sporophylls
B) Jointed stems with whorls of leaves and sporangia in cones
C) Large, megaphyllous leaves and coiled vernation
D) Homosporous reproduction
44. The 'living fossil' *Psilotum* is a representative of which class of Pteridophytes?
A) Lycopsida
B) Sphenopsida
C) Pteropsida
D) Psilopsida
45. Which extinct group of Pteridophytes is characterized by dichotomous branching of the stem and lack of true roots and leaves?
A) Lycopsida
B) Sphenopsida
C) Pteropsida
D) Psilophytales (within Psilopsida)
46. Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Sphenopsida, and Pteropsida are major groups within which Pteridophyte classification?
A) Families
B) Orders
C) Classes
D) Divisions
47. Which of the following is a characteristic of the gametophyte generation in Pteridophytes?
A) It is diploid and independent.
B) It is haploid and dependent on the sporophyte.
C) It is haploid and independent or partially dependent.
D) It is diploid and dependent on the gametophyte.
48. The sporophyte generation in Pteridophytes is typically:
A) Haploid and dominant
B) Diploid and dominant
C) Haploid and reduced
D) Diploid and reduced
49. What does the term 'extant' refer to in the context of Pteridophyte distribution?
A) Fossilized forms
B) Currently living species
C) Extinct species
D) Geographically widespread species
50. Which classification system for Pteridophytes is specifically mentioned in the topic?
A) Smith's Classification
B) Sporne's Classification (1976)
C) Kubitzki's Classification
D) Cronquist's Classification