Question 1

Which of the following best describes the four stages for the origin of life on Earth, in the correct order?

Accepted Answer

Abiotic synthesis of small organic molecules, joining into macromolecules, packaging into protocells, origin of self-replicating molecules

Question 2

Which type of deep-sea vent is considered more likely to have contributed to the origin of life due to its moderate temperature and high pH?

Accepted Answer

Alkaline vents

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a type of fossil and what it reveals?

Accepted Answer

Igneous fossils: reveal the chemical composition of volcanic rocks

Question 4

Radiometric dating relies on the decay of radioactive isotopes. If the half-life of a parent isotope is 10,000 years, how much of the original isotope remains after 30,000 years?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{1}{8}$$

Question 5

Which of the following is a significant limitation of the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

It only preserves organisms with hard parts and those that were abundant and widespread.

Question 6

Which evidence supports the endosymbiotic theory for the origin of mitochondria and plastids?

Accepted Answer

Both have ribosomes similar to those of bacteria.

Question 7

What major evolutionary event is associated with the sudden appearance of many animal phyla in the fossil record about 535-525 million years ago?

Accepted Answer

The Cambrian explosion

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why mass extinctions are often followed by adaptive radiations?

Accepted Answer

Mass extinctions open ecological niches, allowing surviving groups to diversify rapidly.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a real-world consequence of continental drift?

Accepted Answer

The formation of the Himalayan mountains due to plate collision

Question 10

Which process is described by the equation $$N_t = N_0$ 	imes (\frac{1}{2}$$)^{t/T_{1/2}$$}$$, where $$N_t is $$the amount of radioactive isotope remaining after time $$t$$, $$N_0 is $$the initial amount, and $$T_{1/2} is $$the half-life?

Accepted Answer

Radiometric dating

Question 11

Which of the following is a direct result of the oxygen revolution caused by photosynthetic prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

The extinction of many anaerobic prokaryotic groups

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of an exaptation?

Accepted Answer

Feathers that evolved for temperature regulation and later enabled flight

Question 13

Which of the following statements about evolution is supported by the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Most species that have ever lived are now extinct.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of Hox genes in animal development?

Accepted Answer

They provide positional information that determines where body parts develop.

Question 15

Which event marks the boundary between the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras and is associated with the extinction of about 96% of marine species?

Accepted Answer

The Permian mass extinction

Question 16

Which of the following is a plausible explanation for why the known fossil record is biased?

Accepted Answer

Species with hard parts are more likely to be preserved as fossils.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of heterochrony affecting evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

Changes in the timing of reproductive organ development leading to paedomorphosis

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of adaptive radiation following the colonization of a new region?

Accepted Answer

The diversification of the 'silversword alliance' in the Hawaiian Islands

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the purpose of evolution is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Evolution has no predetermined goal; it results from interactions between organisms and their environment.

Chapter 25: The History of Life on Earth – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards