From the given plants, how many are pteridophytes?
Selaginella, Dryopteris, Adiantum, pinus, salvinia, Ginkgo, Marchantia, Cycas

Options

A. 5
B. 3
C. 7
D. 4

Answer

To determine how many of the given plants are pteridophytes, we will analyze each plant in the list:

1. **Selaginella**: This is a known pteridophyte. It is a heterosporous plant, meaning it produces two different types of spores.

2. **Dryopteris**: This is also a pteridophyte. It is commonly known as a fern and is part of the vascular plants.

3. **Adiantum**: This is another example of a pteridophyte. It is also a type of fern.

4. **Pinus**: This plant is not a pteridophyte; it belongs to the gymnosperms, which produce naked seeds.

5. **Salvinia**: This is a pteridophyte as well. It is also heterosporous, producing two types of spores.

6. **Ginkgo**: This is not a pteridophyte; it is classified as a gymnosperm.

7. **Marchantia**: This plant is not a pteridophyte; it is a bryophyte, often referred to as the amphibians of the plant kingdom due to its dependence on water for reproduction.

8. **Cycas**: This is also a gymnosperm and not a pteridophyte.

Now, let's summarize the findings:

- Pteridophytes identified: Selaginella, Dryopteris, Adiantum, and Salvinia.
- Non-pteridophytes identified: Pinus, Ginkgo, Marchantia, and Cycas.

Counting the pteridophytes, we have 4 plants that belong to this group.

**Final Answer**: There are 4 pteridophytes in the given list.

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