Question

Cycas is a gymnosperm because of
A. Vessels present in xylem
B. Living fossil
C. Naked seed without fruit
D. None of these

Answer 1

Cycas belongs to a division of plants called gymnosperms. Gymnosperms are seed producing plants. They are plants in which the ovules are not enclosed within the ovary wall and thus remain exposed during fertilization. The reproductive structures of gymnosperms are in the form of cones. They lack parts like style and stigma and so the pollination takes place mainly through wind.

Complete answer:
Option A Vessels present in xylem: The xylem vessels are long tube-like structures that help in transportation of water and provide mechanical support to the plant. They are made of a large number of short, wide and lignified dead cells. They are absent in gymnosperms.
Option A is incorrect.
Option B living fossil: A living fossil means that a particular species resembles ancestral species known only from the fossil record. A living fossil is an old relative to the time of origin of the extant clade. Cycas are called living fossils because they have not yet changed over the years. However, a living fossil can be of any plants and animals.
Option B is incorrect.
Option C naked seed without fruit: Cycas produce naked seeds. A distinct feature of gymnosperm is that they do not produce any flowers or fruits. Thus, the seeds produced by them are exposed or naked in the open air. Since Cycas have naked seeds, they are called gymnosperms.
Option C is correct.
Option D none of these: This option cannot be chosen because the correct answer is present in the given options
Option D is incorrect.

Therefore, Option C is the correct answer.

Note:
Gymnosperms are usually found in colder regions. The leaves are needle shaped. They do not have a differentiated ovary, style and stigma. Since stigma is absent, pollination takes place by wind. The seeds of gymnosperms contain endosperms that store food for the growth and development of the plant. They have vascular tissues however xylem does not have vessels and phloem has no companion cells and sieve tubes.