Use the following description to answer the question.
A biology student hiking in a forest happens upon an erect, 15-centimeter-tall plant that bears microphylls and a strobilus at its tallest point. When disturbed, the cone emits a dense cloud of brownish dust. A pocket magnifying glass reveals the dust to be composed of tiny spheres with a high oil content.
Besides oil, what other chemical should be detected in substantial amounts upon chemical analysis of these small spheres?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The plant in question is a club moss, which produces spores with a high content of sporopollenin. This is a polymer that provides spores with resistance to decay, allowing them to be dispersed over long distances. The fact that the spores are released from a strobilus (cone) confirms that the organism in question is a lycophyte, one of four major groups of vascular plants. While the plant may also contain other chemical compounds, sporopollenin is the most likely candidate based on the description given.

Use the Following Description to Answer the Question