A botanist discovers a new species of plant in a rain forest. Investigation of the anatomy and life cycle shows the following characteristics: flagellated sperm, xylem with tracheids, separate gametophyte, and sporophyte generations with the sporophyte dominant, and no seeds. This plant is probably most closely related to ______.
a. ferns
b. flowering plants
c. gymnosperms
d. mosses
Answer: a. ferns