1. What adaptive advantage did seeds provide

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Notes:
Embryo is protected in a seed.
The seed is modified for dispersal which is good b/c….
Once landed, the seed can remain dormant until…
The rains come…
The temperature is right…
the environment is PERFECT to foster the growth of this baby plant!

(2) How is this unlike the development of a fern sporophyte?

To understand the adaptive advantage of seeds, we need to look at their characteristics and compare them to the development of a fern sporophyte.

Seeds provide an adaptive advantage because they have several features that facilitate the survival and dispersal of plants. One of the main advantages is that the embryo, or young plant, is protected within the seed. This protection allows the embryo to withstand harsh environmental conditions and avoid being damaged or eaten by animals.

Additionally, seeds are modified for dispersal. They have structures like wings, hooks, or fleshy fruits that help them spread away from the parent plant. This dispersal mechanism increases the chances of the seed finding a suitable environment for growth.

Once a seed lands in a suitable location, it can remain dormant until the conditions are right for germination. This dormancy allows seeds to wait until the necessary resources, such as water, sunlight, and nutrients, are available. It also helps them survive unfavorable seasons or periods of drought.

When the conditions become favorable, such as when the rains come and the temperature is right, the seed germinates and starts growing. The nutrient reserves stored in the seed provide the initial resources for the young plant's growth until it can establish its own source of energy through photosynthesis.

Now, let's compare this with the development of a fern sporophyte. Ferns reproduce through spores instead of seeds. The fertilized egg of a fern develops into a multicellular structure called a sporophyte. Unlike seeds, spores do not have a protective covering, so they are more vulnerable to desiccation and predation. Spores are also generally less specialized for dispersal, relying on external factors like wind or water to carry them to new locations.

Once a fern spore lands in a suitable environment, it directly develops into a multicellular organism without a dormant stage. This means that fern sporophytes require continuous suitable conditions right from the start of their development. They do not have the protective and dormant stages that seeds have, which can increase their vulnerability to unfavorable conditions.

In summary, the adaptive advantage of seeds lies in their ability to protect the embryo, facilitate dispersal, and remain dormant until favorable conditions for growth occur. The development of fern sporophytes lacks these advantages and relies on continuous suitable conditions for their survival and growth.