Question

Assertion: All pteridophytes have originated from Rhynia
Reason: It is a living fossil fern
A. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion
B. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the not the correct explanation for assertion
C. Assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect
D. Assertion is incorrect but reason is correct

Answer 1

Pteridophytes are the most advanced flowerless and seedless plants. Pteridophytes form the largest living group of primitive vascular plants. They are often called the first land plants.

Step by step answer: Pteridophytes are the shade-loving vascular plants. They are called vascular cryptogams because they have vascular tissues like xylem and phloem. Note that they also have true organs like stem, root, and leaves. The stem of pteridophytes is called rhizomes as it bears roots and leaves on them. Pteridophytes are divided into different classes. They are psilopsida, lycopsida, sphenopsida, pteropsida. Psilotum is a pteridophyte which is known as primitive pteridophyte. It is an example of a living fossil fern. Rhynia is a single species consisting of the genus and includes the family Rhyniaceae and the order Rhyniales. It was a vascular plant and belonged to the devonian period. All pteridophytes are said to have originated from this plant. Rhynia is not a living fossil. So, the assertion is correct but the reason proves to be wrong.
Hence the correct option is option C
Additional information: Certain parts of the pteridophyte Dryopteris are used to make vermifuge drugs. Marselia is a Pteridophyte which is used as food.

Note: Pteridophytes show an alternation of generations in their life cycle. The sporophytic generation or the plant body alternates with the gametophytic generation called prothallus. The seed plants in our environment today actually originated from the heterosporous pteridophytes.