Which of the following best compares gymnosperms and angiosperms?

A. Both reproduce sexually, but gymnosperms contain only xylem and angiosperms contain xylem and phloem.

B. Both reproduce sexually, but gymnosperms produce pollen cones and seed cones and angiosperms produce flowers or fruit.

C. Both contain xylem and phloem, but gymnosperms reproduce asexually and angiosperms reproduce sexually.

D. Both contain xylem and phloem, but gymnosperms produce spores and angiosperms produce either cones or flowers and fruit.

The statement that best compares gymnosperms and angiosperms is : A. Both reproduce sexually, but gymnosperms contain only xylem and angiosperms contain xylem and phloem.

Gymnosperms produce exposed seeds, not enclosed in fruit whilst Angiosperms have Fruits, flowers, and endosperms as defining characteristics.

The correct answer will be option B (Both reproduce sexually, but gymnosperms produce pollen cones and seed cones and angiosperms produce flowers or fruit).

Explanation:

Reproduction in plants takes place by both sexual and asexual ways.

In angiosperms, sexual reproduction takes place by the formation of special structure called "flowers" which are the formed by the modification of leaves. Flower is the evolutionary feature of the angiosperm which facilitate the same function in all plants that is reproduction by providing the mechanism of fertilization of pollen and egg cell resulting in the formation of seeds.

In gymnosperms, sexual reproduction takes place by the formation of special structures called "cones", a characteristic feature of the group gymnosperm. Cones contain both the male (pollen) and female (egg cell) gametophytes. The male cones produces pollens which are carried to the female cone by wind thus, facilitating sexual reproduction in gymnosperms.

hence, option B is the correct answer.