Ancestors of land plants possessed

Options

A. Arboreal habit
B. Heterotrichous habit
C. Theorny habit
D. Prostrate habit.

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Identify the Ancestors of Land Plants**: The ancestors of land plants are primarily green algae. This is an important starting point for understanding their characteristics.

2. **Understand the Options Provided**: The question gives four options regarding the habit of these ancestors:
- Option 1: Arboreal habit
- Option 2: Heterotrichous habit
- Option 3: Thorny habit
- Option 4: Prostrate habit

3. **Analyze Each Option**:
- **Arboreal Habit**: This refers to organisms that live in trees or tree-like structures. This is not applicable to green algae.
- **Heterotrichous Habit**: This is a characteristic of certain algae where the organism has two types of growth forms: prostrate (horizontal) and erect (vertical). This is a more advanced growth form and is indeed associated with green algae.
- **Thorny Habit**: This refers to plants that have thorn-like structures. This does not apply to the ancestors of land plants.
- **Prostrate Habit**: This refers to a growth form that lies flat on the ground. While some algae may exhibit this, it does not encompass the full characteristic of their growth.

4. **Select the Correct Option**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **Option 2: Heterotrichous habit**. This habit is considered to be one of the most evolved forms in green algae, which are the ancestors of land plants.

5. **Conclusion**: The ancestors of land plants possessed a heterotrichous habit, which includes both prostrate and erect growth forms.