Some plants have a vascular system composed of a type of tissue called vascular tissue.Plant vascular tissue functions to carry water, minerals, and nutrients to cells throughout the plant.In an analogous way, some animals have a vascular system, which is composed of several types of tissues that function collectively to move water, minerals, and nutrients to cells throughout the animal's body.Which statement makes an accurate comparison of plant and animal vascular systems?
A) Because both systems have the same basic function, they are composed of cells that are structurally similar.
B) Both plant and animal vascular systems evolved from a common origin, because they share the same biological function.
C) Animals are more complex than plants, implying that the vascular systems in animals are more complex than the vascular systems in plants.
D) The vascular systems in plants are not true vascular systems like those in animals, because plants do not have hearts.
E) Both systems evolved as the result of cell differentiation that took different paths in plants and animals but resulted in similar functions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Choice E accurately describes how both plant and animal vascular systems evolved from cell differentiation to perform similar functions, despite taking different paths. It is not accurate to say that the systems are structurally similar (A), or that they evolved from a common origin (B) since plants and animals diverged in evolution. It is also not accurate to say that animals have more complex vascular systems than plants, as complexity is not a measure of functionality (C). Choice D is incorrect since the presence of a heart is not necessary for a vascular system.

Some Plants Have a Vascular System Composed of a Type