Important terrestrial adaptations that evolved exclusively in seed plants include all of the following characteristics except:

Options

A. pollination by wind or animal instead of swimming sperm
B. transport of water through vascular tissue
C. retention of the gametophytic plant within the sporophyte
D. protection and nourishment of the embryo within the seed

Explanation

To solve the question regarding important terrestrial adaptations that evolved exclusively in seed plants, we will analyze each option provided in the question.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Question**: The question asks for characteristics that evolved exclusively in seed plants, meaning we need to identify which of the given options is not unique to seed plants.

2. **Evaluate Each Option**:
- **Option 1: Pollination by the wind or animal instead of swimming sperm**: This characteristic is indeed exclusive to seed plants. Seed plants use pollen for reproduction, which can be carried by wind or animals, unlike non-seed plants that often rely on swimming sperm.

- **Option 2: Transport of water through vascular tissue**: Vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) is a characteristic of all vascular plants, including both seed and non-seed plants (like ferns). Therefore, this characteristic is not exclusive to seed plants.

- **Option 3: Retention of the gametophytic plant within the sporophyte**: This is a characteristic of seed plants, where the gametophyte is retained within the sporophyte generation.

- **Option 4: Protection and nourishment of the embryo within the seed**: This is a defining feature of seed plants, as seeds provide protection and nourishment to the developing embryo.

3. **Identify the Correct Answer**: Since option 2 (transport of water through vascular tissue) is not exclusive to seed plants, it is the correct answer to the question.

### Final Answer:
The important terrestrial adaptation that evolved exclusively in seed plants includes all of the following characteristics except: **Transport of the water through vascular tissue**.

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