Most primitive and advanced families of dicots are respectively

Options

A. Solanaceae and Asteraceae
B. Leguminosae and Poaceae
C. Ranuculaceae and Asteraceae
D. Asteraceae amd Cucurbitaceae

Answer

To determine the most primitive and advanced families of dicots, we need to analyze the characteristics of various families and their evolutionary significance. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Primitive and Advanced Families
- **Primitive Families**: These are families that are considered to have originated earlier in the evolutionary timeline. They typically have fewer species and genera.
- **Advanced Families**: These families have evolved later and usually exhibit greater diversity, with a higher number of species and genera.

**Hint**: Remember that "primitive" refers to the early stages of evolution, while "advanced" refers to more evolved stages.

### Step 2: Identify the Most Primitive Family
- The family that is often cited as the most primitive among dicots is **Ranunculaceae**.
- This family has a limited number of species (around 2 to 5) and a small number of genera (approximately 62).

**Hint**: Look for families with fewer species and genera to identify primitive families.

### Step 3: Identify the Most Advanced Family
- The family recognized as the most advanced among dicots is **Asteraceae**.
- This family is notable for its vast diversity, containing about 23,600 species and 1,620 genera.

**Hint**: Advanced families will have a significantly larger number of species and genera compared to primitive families.

### Step 4: Conclusion
- Based on the analysis, the most primitive family of dicots is **Ranunculaceae**, and the most advanced family is **Asteraceae**.

**Final Answer**: The most primitive and advanced families of dicots are respectively **Ranunculaceae** and **Asteraceae**.