Which of the following traits characterizes gymnosperms? A The plants carry exposed seeds on modified leaves. B Reproductive structures are located in a flower. C After fertilization, the ovary thickens and forms a fruit. D The gametophyte is longest phase of the life cycle.

A) option is correct

Explanation:

The plants carry exposed seeds on modified leaves is a characteristic of gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are simply flowerless plants that produce cones and seedsThe term gymnosperm means "naked seed," as its seeds are not encased within an ovary,they sit exposed on the surface of leaf-like structures called bractsGymnosperms are vascular plants of the subkingdom Embryophyta and include conifers, cycads, ginkgoes, and gnetophytesSome examples of these woody shrubs and trees include pines, spruces, firs, and ginkgoesGymnosperms are abundant in temperate forest and boreal forest biomes with species that can tolerate moist or dry conditionsUnlike angiosperms, gymnosperms do not produce flowers or fruit. they the first vascular plants to inhabit the land appearing in Triassic Period of geological time scale around 245-208 million years agoIn today's era there over one thousand species of gymnosperms which belongs to four main divisions: Coniferophyta, Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, and Gnetophyta

Reduction in overall biodiversity