Which of the following were probably factors that permitted early plants to succ

Question

Which of the following were probably factors that permitted early plants to successfully colonized land 1) the relative number of potential predators 2) the relative number of competitors 3) the relative availability of symbiotic partners 4) air's relative lack of support, compared to waters support Which of the following were probably factors that permitted early plants to successfully colonized land 1) the relative number of potential predators 2) the relative number of competitors 3) the relative availability of symbiotic partners 4) air's relative lack of support, compared to waters support

Explanation / Answer

The life of plants began in oceans. It is believed that the origin and early evolution of land plants occurred in the mid-Paleozoic era. Even though the early plants had to face several hurdles in the terrestrial environment, they were able to adapt to the life on land.

Since land plants evolved before land animals, there were no predators that threatened plant life. Absence of predators was one of the reasons that permitted early plants to colonize land successfully.

Moreover, relative number of competitors were also less. Therefore, they could make complete use of the nutrients available to them.

Plants conquering land involved symbiotic relation with organisms like fungi. Early plants began to colonize land by forming a partnership with soil organisms which had evolved much earlier than plants. The environment during those times favored early formation of an association between fungi and plants. Plants grow and reproduce better when colonized by symbiotic partners since these organisms provide essential nutrients to developing plants.

Thus, factors that permitted early plants to successfully colonized land include

1) the relative number of potential predators

2) the relative number of competitors and

3) the relative availability of symbiotic partners

Hence, answer is options 1, 2 and 3

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