The earliest vascular plants on land had underground stems (rhizomes), but no roots. Water and mineral nutrients were most likely obtained by ________.

Question

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Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots. The fungi help the plant absorb water and minerals from the soil, which would have been essential for the earliest vascular plants on land that lacked roots. Diffusion through stomata (A) and osmosis through root hairs (C) are mechanisms used by plants with true roots, which were absent in the earliest vascular plants. Diffusion across the cuticle of the rhizome (D) would likely have been too slow to provide adequate water and nutrients to the plant.

The Earliest Vascular Plants on Land Had Underground Stems (Rhizomes)