The Question is from neet-botany anatomy-of-flowering-plants , and it was created by the author NISHANTH

Question

The specific arrangement of sieve elements and companion cells in phloem tissue, where a single companion cell is associated with multiple sieve elements, is MOST characteristic of which plant group?

NISHANTH · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: B
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
	**Primary Concept**: Plant Anatomy and Physiology (Phloem structure)
	**Related Topics**: Plant evolution, Sieve element function, Companion cell function
	**Prerequisites**: Basic understanding of plant vascular tissue and its components.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**: 
	We are looking for the plant group where one companion cell supports multiple sieve elements.
**Method & Steps**:
	1. **Recall the role of companion cells**: Companion cells provide metabolic support to sieve elements, which lack many organelles.
		Reasoning:  Sieve elements are specialized for transport and have reduced cellular machinery. Companion cells carry out essential functions for both themselves and the associated sieve elements.
	2. **Consider the evolutionary context**: More derived plant groups (angiosperms) have more specialized and efficient systems.
		Working: In angiosperms, there's typically a 1:1 ratio (or close to it) between companion cells and sieve tube elements. This close association allows for efficient transport.
		Key Point:  Less derived plants (gymnosperms) often have a less efficient system where one companion cell must support multiple sieve elements.
	3. **Identify the plant group**: Gymnosperms are characterized by having one companion cell associated with multiple sieve elements.
		Result: Gymnosperms
		Verification: This arrangement reflects the less specialized phloem tissue in gymnosperms compared to angiosperms.
 ## OPTION ANALYSIS
[A] :x: Angiosperms typically have a 1:1 (or close to it) ratio of companion cells to sieve tube elements, facilitating efficient transport.
[B] ✓: Gymnosperms are characterized by a single companion cell supporting multiple sieve elements, reflecting a less specialized phloem structure.
[C] :x: Bryophytes are non-vascular plants and lack phloem tissue altogether.
[D] :x: Pteridophytes (ferns) have phloem, but their companion cell-sieve element arrangement is not as distinctive as that of gymnosperms.
 ## LEARNING AIDS
	**Common Mistakes**:
		1. Confusing the characteristics of angiosperms and gymnosperms: Remember that angiosperms are more derived and have more specialized tissues, including phloem.
		2. Overlooking the evolutionary context: Understanding the evolutionary progression of plant vascular tissue helps in remembering these structural differences.
	**Quick Tips**:
		1. Associate 'gymnosperm' with 'less specialized' phloem.
		2. Visualize the 1:many companion cell to sieve element ratio in gymnosperms.

NISHANTH · Answer

Angiosperms

NISHANTH · Answer

The correct Option is "Gymnosperms"

NISHANTH · Answer

Bryophytes

NISHANTH · Answer

Pteridophytes

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