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Which one of the following is living fossil -
A
Moss
B
Saccharomyces
C
Spirogyra
D
Cycas
Detailed Solution
A living fossil is a living organism that closely resembles extinct forms known only from fossils, and has changed very little over a very long geological time.
Cycas is a primitive gymnosperm; cycads were abundant in the Mesozoic era and the living species retain many primitive features (such as motile, ciliated sperms). So Cycas is called a living fossil.
Ginkgo biloba is another well known living fossil among gymnosperms.
Moss, Saccharomyces (yeast) and Spirogyra are not considered living fossils.
So the living fossil is Cycas.
Cycas is a primitive gymnosperm; cycads were abundant in the Mesozoic era and the living species retain many primitive features (such as motile, ciliated sperms). So Cycas is called a living fossil.
Ginkgo biloba is another well known living fossil among gymnosperms.
Moss, Saccharomyces (yeast) and Spirogyra are not considered living fossils.
So the living fossil is Cycas.