Which were the first-ever terrestrial plants to possess vascular tissues?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Pteridophyta.
The first-ever terrestrial plants to possess vascular tissues were Pteridophyta. Vascular tissues, namely xylem and phloem, are responsible for transporting water, minerals, and nutrients throughout the plant. Pteridophytes, such as ferns, were the earliest plants to develop this efficient transport system, allowing them to grow larger and colonise land effectively. In contrast, algae are mostly aquatic and non-vascular, bryophytes lack true vascular tissues, and lichens are symbiotic organisms, not classified as true plants. Thus, Pteridophyta led this evolutionary advancement.