Question

Gymnosperms are also called soft wood spermatophytes because they lack

• A. Xylem vessels
• B. Phloem fibres
• C. Cambium
• D. Thick-walled tracheids

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Xylem vessels

• The xylem is made up entirely of vessels.

• These are most commonly seen in blooming plants (angiosperms), but not in gymnosperms like conifers.

• The key characteristic that distinguishes angiosperm hardwood from conifer softwood is vessel components.

• Gymnosperms are sometimes known as softwood spermatophytes', due to their absence of thick-walled vessels, which makes them softwood.