Which statement best defines the life cycle of plants such as palm trees?

• A. Palm trees exhibit an alternation of generations, with both multicellular haploid (gametophyte) and multicellular diploid (sporophyte) stages.
• B. Palm trees have a single-celled diploid stage that immediately undergoes meiosis to form gametes.
• C. Palm trees reproduce only through asexual means, producing genetically identical offspring.
• D. Palm trees complete their entire life cycle within a single growing season.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of alternation of generations. In plants, alternation of generations refers to a life cycle that alternates between a multicellular haploid stage (gametophyte) and a multicellular diploid stage (sporophyte). This is a key feature of plant reproduction.
2. Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'Palm trees exhibit an alternation of generations, with both multicellular haploid (gametophyte) and multicellular diploid (sporophyte) stages.' This aligns with the general life cycle of plants, including palm trees, which alternate between these two stages.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Palm trees have a single-celled diploid stage that immediately undergoes meiosis to form gametes.' This is incorrect because palm trees, like other plants, have a multicellular diploid sporophyte stage, not a single-celled diploid stage.
4. Step 4: Assess the third statement: 'Palm trees reproduce only through asexual means, producing genetically identical offspring.' This is incorrect because palm trees reproduce sexually, involving gametes and alternation of generations.
5. Step 5: Examine the fourth statement: 'Palm trees complete their entire life cycle within a single growing season.' This is incorrect because palm trees are perennial plants, meaning their life cycle spans multiple years, not a single growing season.