The probable evolutionary ancestor of land plants is an ancient green alga, specifically a group known as charophytes. These organisms share key features with land plants, such as the structure of their cells, the presence of chlorophyll a and b, and similarities in reproductive strategies. Over time, adaptations to terrestrial environments led to the emergence of the first true land plants, enabling them to thrive outside aquatic habitats.
lobe-finned fish
lobe-finned fish
The protista Chlorophyta has biochemical processes that make it the most probable ancestor of land plants.
Green algae are members of the Kingdom Plantae and are thought to be the direct ancestor of land plants. This evolutionary relationship is supported by similarities in cell structure and photosynthetic pigments between green algae and land plants.
B. green algae is thought to be the ancestor of land plants. Molecular and fossil evidence suggests that land plants evolved from green algae approximately 500 million years ago. Both share similar traits, such as chlorophyll and cell wall composition, indicating a close evolutionary relationship.
land
Green algae is the oldest ancestor of all land dwelling (non-marine) plants.
Waxy Cuticle
Yes, a fish fin and a whale flipper are considered analogous structures because they have similar functions (swimming) but are derived from different evolutionary origins. Fish fins are adaptations for movement in water, while whale flippers are modified limbs evolving from a common ancestor with land-dwelling mammals.
DNA evidence supports whales' evolutionary pathway by revealing genetic similarities between whales and terrestrial mammals, particularly artiodactyls like hippos. Molecular studies show that whales share a common ancestor with these land-dwelling mammals, indicating a transition from land to water. The analysis of specific genes and DNA sequences has helped trace the evolutionary changes that enabled adaptations for aquatic life, such as modifications in limb structure and respiratory systems. Overall, genetic data provides a clear molecular framework that aligns with fossil evidence of whale evolution.
Scientists hypothesize that green algae and plants share a common ancestor due to genetic, biochemical, and morphological similarities. Both groups contain chlorophyll a and b, which are essential for photosynthesis, and they possess similar cellular structures, such as chloroplasts. Additionally, molecular evidence, including DNA sequencing, indicates a close evolutionary relationship, supporting the idea that land plants evolved from green algal ancestors. This evolutionary link is further corroborated by the fossil record and the ecological roles both groups play in their environments.
Ambulocetus, is the ancestor of the whales. It was known as the walking whale because it could walk on land, though it spent most time in water.