Diversity of Plants is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Life Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Bryophytes, such as mosses, are described as non-vascular plants because they:
Lack true xylem and phloem tissue to transport water and nutrients internally
Have no cells at all
Reproduce only using seeds, never spores
Are not classified within Kingdom Plantae
Answer: Lack true xylem and phloem tissue to transport water and nutrients internally — Bryophytes lack true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem), so water and nutrients move slowly through the plant body by diffusion and osmosis rather than through an efficient transport system.
Easy
2. What structures do bryophytes have instead of true roots, used to anchor the plant and absorb some water?
Rhizoids
Fronds
Cones
Flowers
Answer: Rhizoids — Rhizoids are simple root-like structures that anchor bryophytes to their substrate and absorb some water, but lack the internal vascular tissue of true roots.
Medium
3. Why are pteridophytes (ferns) generally able to grow taller than bryophytes?
Pteridophytes possess true vascular tissue, allowing more efficient internal transport and structural support
Pteridophytes have no cell walls, allowing unrestricted growth
Bryophytes have vascular tissue while pteridophytes do not
Pteridophytes do not need water or nutrients to grow
Answer: Pteridophytes possess true vascular tissue, allowing more efficient internal transport and structural support — The true vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) present in pteridophytes allows far more efficient transport of water, minerals, and food than the simple diffusion relied upon by bryophytes, and also provides structural support, enabling greater height.
