Question 1

The energy source that may have driven the chemical reactions leading to modern Earth's atmosphere was ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  sunlight 
B)  electrical storms (lightning) 
C)  photosynthesis 
D)  radioactive decay 
E)  heat energy released from Earth's core 
A)  sunlight 
B)  electrical storms (lightning) 
C)  photosynthesis 
D)  radioactive decay 
E)  heat energy released from Earth's core B

Question 2

What is an argument against the theory that RNA was the first polymer of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only limited replication of proteins is possible. 
B)  The transfer of information from RNA to DNA under early conditions is difficult. 
C)  The early nucleotides could not form a polymer. 
D)  RNA cannot transfer genetic information to xeno-nucleic acids. 
E)  The synthesis of RNA nucleotides under early conditions is difficult. 
A)  Only limited replication of proteins is possible. 
B)  The transfer of information from RNA to DNA under early conditions is difficult. 
C)  The early nucleotides could not form a polymer. 
D)  RNA cannot transfer genetic information to xeno-nucleic acids. 
E)  The synthesis of RNA nucleotides under early conditions is difficult. E

Question 3

Who developed the modern endosymbiotic theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Charles Darwin 
B)  Lynn Margulis 
C)  Richard Dickerson 
D)  Wendy Johnson 
E)  Stanley Miller 
A)  Charles Darwin 
B)  Lynn Margulis 
C)  Richard Dickerson 
D)  Wendy Johnson 
E)  Stanley Miller B

Question 4

Cells with ____ are able to harvest the greatest amount of energy from electrons.

Accepted Answer

A)  double membranes 
B)  photosystems 
C)  cytochromes 
D)  chloroplasts 
E)  nuclei 
A)  double membranes 
B)  photosystems 
C)  cytochromes 
D)  chloroplasts 
E)  nuclei

Question 5

What is a criticism of the hydrothermal vent origin of life theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hydrothermal vents are too hot and would have destroyed the organic molecules even as they formed. 
B)  Hydrothermal vents are too salty and would have destroyed the organic molecules even as they formed. 
C)  Hydrothermal vents are unstable in general and would have dissipated the organic molecules. 
D)  Hydrothermal vents lack sufficient oxygen for the evolution of aerobic organisms. 
E)  Hydrothermal vents contain too many dissolved mineral ions. 
A)  Hydrothermal vents are too hot and would have destroyed the organic molecules even as they formed. 
B)  Hydrothermal vents are too salty and would have destroyed the organic molecules even as they formed. 
C)  Hydrothermal vents are unstable in general and would have dissipated the organic molecules. 
D)  Hydrothermal vents lack sufficient oxygen for the evolution of aerobic organisms. 
E)  Hydrothermal vents contain too many dissolved mineral ions.

Question 6

Which feature of Archaea is shared with Eukarya but not with Bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  the sequestration of DNA into a nucleus 
B)  the common occurrence of introns 
C)  the chemical structure of the cell walls 
D)  the plasma membrane structure 
E)  a genome comprised of a single, circular molecule of DNA 
A)  the sequestration of DNA into a nucleus 
B)  the common occurrence of introns 
C)  the chemical structure of the cell walls 
D)  the plasma membrane structure 
E)  a genome comprised of a single, circular molecule of DNA

Question 7

Experimental studies have produced ribozymes that ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  reverse transcribe DNA from an RNA template 
B)  polymerize new RNA from an RNA template 
C)  cleave cellular membranes 
D)  produce completely new RNA strands 
E)  polymerize new proteins from an RNA template 
A)  reverse transcribe DNA from an RNA template 
B)  polymerize new RNA from an RNA template 
C)  cleave cellular membranes 
D)  produce completely new RNA strands 
E)  polymerize new proteins from an RNA template

Question 8

Where did Earth's atmosphere originate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's gravity trapped gases from passing comets. 
B)  Gases were released from Earth itself as it cooled. 
C)  Earth's gravity trapped gases from Earth itself. 
D)  Earth's gravity trapped gases from passing comets, gases were released from the Earth itself as it cooled, and Earth's gravity trapped gases from the Earth itself. 
E)  Gases were released from Earth itself as it cooled Earth's gravity trapped gases from the Earth itself. 
A)  Earth's gravity trapped gases from passing comets. 
B)  Gases were released from Earth itself as it cooled. 
C)  Earth's gravity trapped gases from Earth itself. 
D)  Earth's gravity trapped gases from passing comets, gases were released from the Earth itself as it cooled, and Earth's gravity trapped gases from the Earth itself. 
E)  Gases were released from Earth itself as it cooled Earth's gravity trapped gases from the Earth itself.

Question 9

Evolutionarily, Archaea likely arose ____ Bacteria.

Accepted Answer

A)  as a direct result of 
B)  concurrently 
C)    before 
D)  after 
E)  distinct from 
A)  as a direct result of 
B)  concurrently 
C)    before 
D)  after 
E)  distinct from

Question 10

The hypothesis that life evolved on another planet and was transported to Earth by meteorites cannot be disregarded. Why ?

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis is not testable

Question 11

Carl Woese and George Fox derived the three-domain system based on ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  comparing shared morphological characters 
B)  determining the activities of molecular replicators 
C)  comparing sequences of ribosomal RNA (rRN
A)  genes 
D)  analyzing membrane lipid composition 
E)  searching for introns in the genomes 
A)  comparing shared morphological characters 
B)  determining the activities of molecular replicators 
C)  comparing sequences of ribosomal RNA (rRN
A)  genes 
D)  analyzing membrane lipid composition 
E)  searching for introns in the genomes

Question 12

Why is the distance of Earth from the sun so crucial for life as we know it?

Accepted Answer

A)  The distance provides the optimal temperature for water to occur in a liquid form. 
B)  The distance allows Earth's orbit to have a year of a reasonable length. 
C)    The distance allows for multiple seasons in temperate climates, which was crucial for the emergence of chemicals used to build the first protocells. 
D)  The distance provides ample opportunity for water to freeze into ice. 
E)  The distance ensures that ample water is available for all of the organisms on Earth. 
A)  The distance provides the optimal temperature for water to occur in a liquid form. 
B)  The distance allows Earth's orbit to have a year of a reasonable length. 
C)    The distance allows for multiple seasons in temperate climates, which was crucial for the emergence of chemicals used to build the first protocells. 
D)  The distance provides ample opportunity for water to freeze into ice. 
E)  The distance ensures that ample water is available for all of the organisms on Earth.

Question 13

The continuously sparking electrodes in the apparatus used in the Miller-Urey experiment simulated ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  solar energy 
B)  lightning strikes 
C)  volcanic eruptions 
D)  radioactivity 
E)  hydrothermal vents 
A)  solar energy 
B)  lightning strikes 
C)  volcanic eruptions 
D)  radioactivity 
E)  hydrothermal vents

Question 14

Early biological activity may be found in rocks by investigating ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  stromatolites 
B)  isotope ratios 
C)  microfossils 
D)  all of these are correct 
E)  none of these are correct 
A)  stromatolites 
B)  isotope ratios 
C)  microfossils 
D)  all of these are correct 
E)  none of these are correct

Question 15

If RNA was the first information storage molecule, which macromolecule would have been the "next" molecule produced in the progression toward living cells?

Accepted Answer

A)  DNA 
B)  lipids 
C)  carbohydrates 
D)  sugars 
E)  proteins 
A)  DNA 
B)  lipids 
C)  carbohydrates 
D)  sugars 
E)  proteins

Question 16

What is an alternative to RNA as the first polymer of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  single nucleotides 
B)  non-genetic polymers 
C)  polymers that do not form a double helix m a double helix 
D)  other genetic polymers containing different sugars 
E)  other genetic polymers containing different amino acids 
A)  single nucleotides 
B)  non-genetic polymers 
C)  polymers that do not form a double helix m a double helix 
D)  other genetic polymers containing different sugars 
E)  other genetic polymers containing different amino acids

Question 17

Early life most likely evolved where ____ was plentiful.

Accepted Answer

A)  lightning 
B)  solar energy 
C)  hydrothermal vents 
D)  geochemical activity 
E)  radioactive decay 
A)  lightning 
B)  solar energy 
C)  hydrothermal vents 
D)  geochemical activity 
E)  radioactive decay

Question 18

The leading candidate for the molecular replicator during the origin of cells is ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  pyranose 
B)  xeno-nucleic acids 
C)  protein 
D)  RNA 
E)  DNA 
A)  pyranose 
B)  xeno-nucleic acids 
C)  protein 
D)  RNA 
E)  DNA

Question 19

Assuming geological evidence is accurate, life on Earth may have originated ____ billion years ago.

Accepted Answer

A)  14 
B)  4.6 
C)  3.5 
D)  2.1 
E)  1.2 
A)  14 
B)  4.6 
C)  3.5 
D)  2.1 
E)  1.2

Question 20

The ____ ion is required for ribozymes to become active and begin self-replication.

Accepted Answer

A)  ferrous iron 
B)  ferric iron 
C)  zinc 
D)  magnesium 
E)  selenium 
A)  ferrous iron 
B)  ferric iron 
C)  zinc 
D)  magnesium 
E)  selenium

Exam 25: The Origin of Life

The energy source that may have driven the chemical reactions leading to modern Earth's atmosphere was ____.

What is an argument against the theory that RNA was the first polymer of life?

Who developed the modern endosymbiotic theory?

Cells with ____ are able to harvest the greatest amount of energy from electrons.

What is a criticism of the hydrothermal vent origin of life theory?

Which feature of Archaea is shared with Eukarya but not with Bacteria?

Experimental studies have produced ribozymes that ____.

Where did Earth's atmosphere originate?

Evolutionarily, Archaea likely arose ____ Bacteria.

The hypothesis that life evolved on another planet and was transported to Earth by meteorites cannot be disregarded. Why ?

Carl Woese and George Fox derived the three-domain system based on ____.

Why is the distance of Earth from the sun so crucial for life as we know it?

The continuously sparking electrodes in the apparatus used in the Miller-Urey experiment simulated ____.

Early biological activity may be found in rocks by investigating ____.

If RNA was the first information storage molecule, which macromolecule would have been the "next" molecule produced in the progression toward living cells?

What is an alternative to RNA as the first polymer of life?

Early life most likely evolved where ____ was plentiful.

The leading candidate for the molecular replicator during the origin of cells is ____.

Assuming geological evidence is accurate, life on Earth may have originated ____ billion years ago.

The ____ ion is required for ribozymes to become active and begin self-replication.

Introduction to Biological Concepts and Research

Life, Chemistry, and Water

Biological Molecules: the Carbon Compounds of Life

Cells

Membranes and Transport

Energy, Enzymes, and Biological Reactions

Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Chemical Energy

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

Cell Division and Mitosis

Meiosis: the Cellular Basis of Sexual Reproduction

Mendel, Genes, and Inheritance

Genes, Chromosomes, and Human Genetics

Dna Structure, Replication, and Organization

Gene Expression: From Dna to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Bacterial and Viral Genetics

Dna Technology: Making and Using Genetically Altered Organisms, and Other Applications

Genomes and Proteomes

The Development of Evolutionary Thought

Microevolution: Genetic Changes Within Populations

Speciation

Paleobiology and Macroevolution

Systematic Biology: Phylogeny and Classification

Prokaryotes and Viruses

Protists

Seedless Plants

Seed Plants

Fungi

Animal Phylogeny, Acoelomates, and Protostomes

Deuterostomes: Vertebrates and Their Closest Relatives

The Plant Body

Transport in Plants

Plant Nutrition

Reproduction and Development in Flowering Plants

Plant Signals and Responses to the Environment

Introduction to Animal Organization and Physiology

Information Flow and the Neuron

Nervous Systems

Sensory Systems

The Endocrine System

Muscles, Bones, and Body Movements

The Circulatory System

Defenses Against Disease

Gas Exchange: the Respiratory System

Digestive Systems and Animal Nutrition

Regulating the Internal Environment: Osmoregulation, Excretion, and Thermoregulation

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Population Interactions and Community Ecology

Ecosystems

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Animal Behavior

Filters