Use the passage to answer the question.

Which derived characteristic would MOST likely explain the results from the genome analysis?

appearance of vascular tissue

appearance of pollen

appearance of monocots and dicots

appearance of flowers

(1 point)

Approximate number of genes associated with an enzyme unique to lignin biosynthesis

0

Group

Diatoms

In a study comparing the genomes of photosynthetic organisms, scientists identified genes specific to the synthesis of lignin. The resulting data are presented in the table.

Organism

Green algae

12

38

55

0

Bryophytes

Lycophytes

Monocots

Dicots

53

Phaeodactylum

Volvox

A moss

Spike moss

Rice

Poplar tree

Comparison of Lignin-Associated Genes Across Photosynthetic Organisms

The appearance of vascular tissue would MOST likely explain the results from the genome analysis, as it is a derived characteristic that is associated with the synthesis of lignin, which is necessary for the development of vascular tissues in plants.