The Remarkable Mystery of Land Plants

Around 470 million years ago, a unique algae colonized land, leading to the evolution of diverse land plants. This algae, part of the streptophyta group, faced challenges like increased sun exposure and water scarcity. Scientists theorize it adapted due to freshwater origins or lack of competition. Genetic studies reveal its closest relatives and adaptations like stomata, crucial for plant survival. The evolution of land plants, including bryophytes and tracheophytes, transformed Earth's atmosphere and ecosystems, highlighting the remarkable journey from algae to diverse plant life.

What theories do scientists have regarding the potential of the ancestral algae?

What is the significance of stomata in the survival of land plants?

How does the evolution of plants illustrate the concept of inheritance and adaptation?