Final answer:
The amniotic eggs of reptiles, including snakes and turtles, provide a large yolk for the embryo's nutrition and have shells and membranes that allow gas exchange while minimizing water loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement regarding the amniotic egg of snakes, turtles, and their relatives is: The embryo's nutritional needs are met by a large yolk. Reptiles produce amniotic eggs that contain several structures to protect and nourish the embryo, including a hard or leathery shell, amniotic membranes, and a nutrient-rich yolk. These adaptations enable reptiles to lay their eggs in various terrestrial environments. The egg's shell and membranes are permeable, allowing for gas exchange, which makes statement (b) incorrect. The eggs are at risk of desiccation, which is why they are often laid in moist conditions, making statement (c) true. However, fertilization generally occurs before the egg is actually laid, thus statement (d) is false.