Which of the following is true about vascular plants?

• A. They reproduce only through spores.
• B. They are exclusively aquatic.
• C. They lack roots and leaves.
• D. They have specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding what vascular plants are. Vascular plants are a large group of plants known for having specialized structures that help them transport water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant.
2. Identify the key characteristic of vascular plants: they possess vascular tissues, which include xylem and phloem. Xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant, while phloem transports sugars and other organic nutrients made in the leaves to other parts of the plant.
3. Consider the options given in the problem. Evaluate each statement based on your understanding of vascular plants. The statement 'They reproduce only through spores' is incorrect because many vascular plants reproduce through seeds, such as flowering plants and conifers.
4. Evaluate the statement 'They are exclusively aquatic.' This is incorrect because vascular plants can be found in a variety of environments, including terrestrial habitats.
5. Assess the statement 'They lack roots and leaves.' This is incorrect because vascular plants typically have roots, stems, and leaves, which are essential for their survival and function. The correct statement is 'They have specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients,' which refers to the presence of xylem and phloem.