Which of the following green algae lineages is most closely related to land plants?

• A. Charophytes
• B. Prasinophytes
• C. Chlorophytes
• D. Ulvophytes

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the evolutionary relationship between green algae and land plants. Land plants evolved from a group of green algae, so identifying the lineage most closely related to land plants requires knowledge of phylogenetics.
2. Review the characteristics of the listed green algae lineages: Charophytes, Prasinophytes, Chlorophytes, and Ulvophytes. Focus on traits shared with land plants, such as cell division mechanisms, presence of specific proteins, and reproductive strategies.
3. Recognize that Charophytes share several key traits with land plants, including the presence of phragmoplasts during cell division, similar sperm structure, and genetic similarities in chloroplast DNA.
4. Compare the other lineages (Prasinophytes, Chlorophytes, and Ulvophytes) to Charophytes. Note that these groups lack many of the specialized traits that are shared exclusively between Charophytes and land plants.
5. Conclude that Charophytes are the green algae lineage most closely related to land plants based on shared evolutionary traits and genetic evidence.