A biology student hiking in a forest happens upon an erect, 15-cm-tall plant that bears microphylls and a strobilus at its tallest point. When disturbed, the cone emits a dense cloud of brownish dust. A pocket magnifying glass reveals the dust to be composed of tiny spheres with a high oil content.
Besides oil, what other chemical should be detected in substantial amounts upon chemical analysis of these small spheres?
A) sporopollenins
B) phenolics
C) waxes
D) lignins