Question 1

The three groups in the primate lineage are:

Accepted Answer

The three groups in the primate lineage are prosimians (lemurs, lorises, and bushbabies), simians (monkeys and apes), and hominoids (apes and humans). Choice A only includes monkeys, gibbons, and orangutans, leaving out other primate groups. Choice B includes only apes, leaving out the other primate groups. Choice D only includes apes and humans, leaving out the other primate groups. Choice E uses outdated classification terms and does not represent the current understanding of primate taxonomy.

Question 2

How is the ability of phospholipids to spontaneously form membranes when placed in water important in the origin of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

The ability of phospholipids to spontaneously form membranes when placed in water is important in the origin of life on Earth because it allows for the formation of cellular membranes, which were likely one of the first structures to emerge in early cells. Membranes are used by cells to isolate their contents from the environment, protecting them from the harsh conditions that existed on early Earth. This isolation allowed for the development of cellular metabolism and the evolution of more complex cellular structures. Therefore, D is the best choice.

Question 3

How might multicellular organisms have arisen?

Accepted Answer

Multicellular organisms likely arose from single-celled organisms joining together, or failing to separate after cell division. Over time, these clusters of cells evolved to specialize and cooperate, eventually forming the complex systems of modern multicellular organisms. Option B is incorrect because it only specifies organisms joining together, without accounting for the possibility of failed separation. Option C is incorrect because it only accounts for failed separation without including the potential for joining. Option D is possible, but not as likely as option A, as endocytosis plays a less significant role in the evolution of multicellularity. Option E is also possible, but less likely than option A, as it suggests two distinct species forming a single organism, rather than a single species evolving to form a multicellular organism.

Question 4

How could an asteroid hitting the Yucatan peninsula in what is now Central America cause a worldwide mass extinction?

Accepted Answer

When the asteroid hit the Yucatan peninsula, it caused a massive explosion throwing debris into the atmosphere. The debris blocked the sunlight and inhibited photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce oxygen. The lack of photosynthesis led to a reduction in oxygen levels in the atmosphere, which ultimately caused the extinction of many species worldwide, including the dinosaurs. The impact also caused massive wildfires, earthquakes, and tsunamis that further contributed to the extinction event.

Question 5

Hominines include:

Accepted Answer

Hominines include humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas, as they are part of the subfamily Homininae.

Question 6

Chloroplasts arose by endocytosis of ______.

Accepted Answer

Chloroplasts originated from the endocytosis of a photosynthetic bacterium, specifically cyanobacteria, which were engulfed by a eukaryotic host cell. This event is known as primary endosymbiosis.

Question 7

Our closest living relatives on the evolutionary tree are:

Accepted Answer

Among the given options, chimpanzees are the closest living relatives to humans on the evolutionary tree. This is based on genetic and anatomical similarities, as well as behavioral traits. Gibbons, orangutans, and gorillas diverged from the human lineage much earlier in evolution, while Homo erectus is a human ancestor that is no longer extant.

Question 8

A buried skeletal find of a specimen has the foramen magnum tucked beneath the skull; this indicates that the skeletal remains are:

Accepted Answer

The foramen magnum tucked beneath the skull is a unique characteristic of humans, indicating that the skeletal remains are of a human. This placement allows humans to hold their head upright and balanced on top of their spinal column. Chimpanzees and gorillas have foramen magnum located towards the back of the skull, indicating that they walk on all fours. Lesser apes also have their foramen magnum towards the back of their skull.

Question 9

Hominids include:

Accepted Answer

Hominids are a family of primates which includes Humans, Orangutans, Chimpanzees, and Gorillas. Therefore, all of the choices are correct.

Question 10

During the first 5-600 million years on Earth the atmosphere was primarily methane,ammonia,and hydrogen,much like other planets in our solar system.How would these conditions favor the formation of biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the first 5-600 million years on...

Question 11

Mitochondria evolved before chloroplasts based on which observation?

Accepted Answer

All eukaryotes have mitochondria, but not all eukaryotes have chloroplasts. This suggests that mitochondria evolved before chloroplasts in eukaryotic evolution, as they are more universally present in eukaryotic organisms. Choice A is incorrect because mitochondria did not produce the oxygen in the atmosphere - that was the result of photosynthetic bacteria and later chloroplast-containing organisms. Choice B is incorrect because some eukaryotic organisms do not have mitochondria (e.g. some anaerobic protists), and prokaryotes do not have mitochondria either. Choice D is incorrect for the same reason, and choice E is incorrect because the size of organelles is not a reliable indicator of their evolutionary history.

Question 12

How might multicellular organisms have arisen?

Accepted Answer

Multicellular organisms could have arisen through single-celled organisms joining together or failing to separate after cell division, allowing them to function as a single entity.

Question 13

Clays often have charged surfaces.How may this have been important in the formation of organic macromolecules?

Accepted Answer

Clays with charged surfaces can act as templates for the formation of organic macromolecules by binding to and aligning the organic building blocks in specific orientations, promoting chemical reactions and the formation of covalent bonds.

Question 14

A buried skeletal find has the foramen magnum near but not at the rear of the skull; this indicates the skeletal remains may be those of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A buried skeletal find has the foramen...

Question 15

Mitochondria arose by endocytosis of ______.

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria are believed to have arisen through the endocytosis of a free-living aerobic bacterium by an ancestral eukaryotic cell. This bacterium developed into an organelle within the host cell, establishing a symbiotic relationship that eventually led to the formation of modern-day mitochondria.

Question 16

During the first 5-600 million years on Earth temperatures ranged from 500-1000°C,atmospheric pressure was 10 times current levels and the planet was bombarded with meteorites.How would these conditions favor the formation of biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

High temperatures and pressures can increase the frequency and intensity of chemical reactions, which could promote the formation of complex organic molecules. Additionally, meteorite impacts could provide the energy needed for chemical reactions to occur.

Question 17

The swinging from one arm to the other with the body dangling below is:

Accepted Answer

The swinging from one arm to the other with the body dangling below is called brachiation. Bipedalism refers to walking on two legs, "knuckle walking" is a type of quadrupedalism used primarily by chimpanzees and gorillas, and quadrupedalism refers to walking on four legs.

Question 18

The carbon dioxide released from burning coal or oil comes from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The carbon dioxide released from burning coal or oil comes from carbon that was fixed by plants during photosynthesis millions of years ago. This carbon was stored in the form of plant material, which eventually transformed into coal and oil.

Question 19

Advantages of bipedalism include:

Accepted Answer

Bipedalism frees the hands to carry objects and use tools, which is a significant advantage for survival and advancement of species. While some primates may move through the treetops, the ability to carry objects and use tools is a more significant advantage for bipedalism. Running faster and increased brain size may be correlated with bipedalism, but they are not direct advantages of it.

Question 20

Why do scientists hypothesize that RNA was the first form of genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Scientists hypothesize that RNA was the first form of genetic material because RNA can catalyze reactions and store genetic information. This would have allowed for a self-replicating system to form, which is essential for the evolution of life. Additionally, RNA is simpler and more versatile than DNA, which supports the idea that it evolved first. While options B, C, D, and E also describe characteristics of RNA, only option A includes both of the key features that make RNA a likely candidate for the first genetic material.

Quiz 14: The Origin and History of Life

The three groups in the primate lineage are:

How is the ability of phospholipids to spontaneously form membranes when placed in water important in the origin of life on Earth?

How might multicellular organisms have arisen?

How could an asteroid hitting the Yucatan peninsula in what is now Central America cause a worldwide mass extinction?

Hominines include:

Chloroplasts arose by endocytosis of ______.

Our closest living relatives on the evolutionary tree are:

A buried skeletal find of a specimen has the foramen magnum tucked beneath the skull; this indicates that the skeletal remains are:

Hominids include:

During the first 5-600 million years on Earth the atmosphere was primarily methane,ammonia,and hydrogen,much like other planets in our solar system.How would these conditions favor the formation of biological molecules?

Mitochondria evolved before chloroplasts based on which observation?

How might multicellular organisms have arisen?

Clays often have charged surfaces.How may this have been important in the formation of organic macromolecules?

A buried skeletal find has the foramen magnum near but not at the rear of the skull; this indicates the skeletal remains may be those of:

Mitochondria arose by endocytosis of ______.

During the first 5-600 million years on Earth temperatures ranged from 500-1000°C,atmospheric pressure was 10 times current levels and the planet was bombarded with meteorites.How would these conditions favor the formation of biological molecules?

The swinging from one arm to the other with the body dangling below is:

The carbon dioxide released from burning coal or oil comes from which of the following?

Advantages of bipedalism include:

Why do scientists hypothesize that RNA was the first form of genetic material?