Question 1

One of the seven emergent properties of life is that organisms exhibit homeostasis. Explain this emergent property.

Accepted Answer

Organisms are able to regulate their internal environment such that conditions remain relatively constant. This ability enables organisms to be distinct from their environment.

Question 2

Which of the following statements does NOT describe eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

A) Their cytoplasm consists of the cytosol and organelles. 
B) They possess a selectively permeable membrane. 
C) Their genetic material is localized in the cytoplasm. 
D) Their DNA is organized into chromosomes. 
A) Their cytoplasm consists of the cytosol and organelles. 
B) They possess a selectively permeable membrane. 
C) Their genetic material is localized in the cytoplasm. 
D) Their DNA is organized into chromosomes. C

Question 3

What are stromatolites?

Accepted Answer

Stromatolites are a type of layered rock that is formed when microorganisms bind particles of sediment together, forming thin sheets.

Question 4

Explain which properties of protobionts are associated with life.

Accepted Answer

Their lipid bilayer membrane is selectiv

Question 5

Which statement best describes the panspermia hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A) Life on Earth could have started abiotically. 
B) Life on Earth could have started biotically. 
C) Different forms of life were present in outer space but these may not have seeded early Earth. 
D) Very simple forms of life were present in outer space and these may have seeded early Earth. 
A) Life on Earth could have started abiotically. 
B) Life on Earth could have started biotically. 
C) Different forms of life were present in outer space but these may not have seeded early Earth. 
D) Very simple forms of life were present in outer space and these may have seeded early Earth.

Question 6

Ribozymes are biological catalysts that are proteins.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which of the following is in the correct sequence?

Accepted Answer

A) the origin of self-replicating molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> packaging of molecules into protobionts 
B) packaging of molecules into protobionts -> the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> the origin of self-replicating molecules 
C) the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> packaging of molecules into protobionts -> the origin of self-replicating molecules 
D) the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> packaging of molecules into protobionts -> the origin of self-replicating molecules 
A) the origin of self-replicating molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> packaging of molecules into protobionts 
B) packaging of molecules into protobionts -> the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> the origin of self-replicating molecules 
C) the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> packaging of molecules into protobionts -> the origin of self-replicating molecules 
D) the abiotic synthesis of small molecules -> the abiotic synthesis of polymers -> packaging of molecules into protobionts -> the origin of self-replicating molecules

Question 8

Scientists believe that hydrothermal vents could have produced a lot more organic material than generated by the Miller-Urey experiments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Earth is approximately 4.6 million years old.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

If an electrode is analogous to the Miller-Urey experiment, which of the following is analogous to primordial Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) water vapour 
B) a strongly reducing atmosphere 
C) lightning 
D) a primeval sea 
A) water vapour 
B) a strongly reducing atmosphere 
C) lightning 
D) a primeval sea

Question 11

What is a key trait of a multicellular organism?

Accepted Answer

A) The organism has many cells. 
B) All the organism's cells have the same function. 
C) A division of labour exists among the organism's cells. 
D) All the organism's cells are similar in shape. 
A) The organism has many cells. 
B) All the organism's cells have the same function. 
C) A division of labour exists among the organism's cells. 
D) All the organism's cells are similar in shape.

Question 12

The evolution of life on Earth was an inevitable outcome of the initial physical, chemical, and biological conditions established by Earth's origin.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which of the following would you take into account if you wanted to define viruses?

Accepted Answer

A) Viruses are between the biotic and abiotic worlds. 
B) Viruses are able to live outside of a host organism. 
C) Viruses are able to synthesize their own proteins. 
D) Viruses are able to remain unchanged. 
A) Viruses are between the biotic and abiotic worlds. 
B) Viruses are able to live outside of a host organism. 
C) Viruses are able to synthesize their own proteins. 
D) Viruses are able to remain unchanged.

Question 14

What is the flow of information that the central dogma refers to?

Accepted Answer

A) DNA   RNA   protein 
B) DNA   protein   RNA 
C) RNA   protein   DNA 
D) RNA   DNA   protein 
A) DNA   RNA   protein 
B) DNA   protein   RNA 
C) RNA   protein   DNA 
D) RNA   DNA   protein

Question 15

What are the major membrane components in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

A) the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, and chloroplasts 
B) the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria 
C) the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi complex 
D) the nuclear envelope, mitochondria, and chloroplasts 
A) the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, and chloroplasts 
B) the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria 
C) the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi complex 
D) the nuclear envelope, mitochondria, and chloroplasts

Question 16

Which of the following contribute to evolutionary change over time?

Accepted Answer

A) changes in RNA 
B) changes in DNA 
C) changes in proteins 
D) changes in cells 
A) changes in RNA 
B) changes in DNA 
C) changes in proteins 
D) changes in cells

Question 17

What does a cell of prokaryotic type lack that differentiates it from a cell of eukaryotic type?

Accepted Answer

A) a plasma membrane 
B) a nucleus 
C) DNA 
D) chromosomes 
A) a plasma membrane 
B) a nucleus 
C) DNA 
D) chromosomes

Question 18

Alexander Oparin and John Haldane postulated that the early atmosphere was a reducing atmosphere. Why was this prediction an important one?

Accepted Answer

A) because the molecules contain the maximum possible number of protons that can be easily donated in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
B) because the molecules contain the minimum possible number of electrons that can be easily donated in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
C) because the molecules contain the maximum possible number of protons that can be easily accepted in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
D) because the molecules contain the maximum possible number of electrons that can be easily donated in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
A) because the molecules contain the maximum possible number of protons that can be easily donated in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
B) because the molecules contain the minimum possible number of electrons that can be easily donated in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
C) because the molecules contain the maximum possible number of protons that can be easily accepted in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules 
D) because the molecules contain the maximum possible number of electrons that can be easily donated in reactions that lead to synthesis of complex molecules

Question 19

What is indicated by the fact that NOT all eukaryotic cells contain both mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Accepted Answer

A) Endosymbiosis did not occur at all. 
B) Endosymbiosis occurred only in the evolution of mitochondria. 
C) Endosymbiosis did not occur in stages. 
D) Endosymbiosis occurred in stages. 
A) Endosymbiosis did not occur at all. 
B) Endosymbiosis occurred only in the evolution of mitochondria. 
C) Endosymbiosis did not occur in stages. 
D) Endosymbiosis occurred in stages.

Question 20

Describe and explain the Miller-Urey experiment.

Accepted Answer

A warmed flask of water simulated the pr

Exam 3: Defining Life and Its Origins

One of the seven emergent properties of life is that organisms exhibit homeostasis. Explain this emergent property.

Which of the following statements does NOT describe eukaryotic cells?

What are stromatolites?

Explain which properties of protobionts are associated with life.

Which statement best describes the panspermia hypothesis?

Ribozymes are biological catalysts that are proteins.

Which of the following is in the correct sequence?

Scientists believe that hydrothermal vents could have produced a lot more organic material than generated by the Miller-Urey experiments.

Earth is approximately 4.6 million years old.

If an electrode is analogous to the Miller-Urey experiment, which of the following is analogous to primordial Earth?

What is a key trait of a multicellular organism?

The evolution of life on Earth was an inevitable outcome of the initial physical, chemical, and biological conditions established by Earth's origin.

Which of the following would you take into account if you wanted to define viruses?

What is the flow of information that the central dogma refers to?

What are the major membrane components in a eukaryotic cell?

Which of the following contribute to evolutionary change over time?

What does a cell of prokaryotic type lack that differentiates it from a cell of eukaryotic type?

Alexander Oparin and John Haldane postulated that the early atmosphere was a reducing atmosphere. Why was this prediction an important one?

What is indicated by the fact that NOT all eukaryotic cells contain both mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Describe and explain the Miller-Urey experiment.

Light and Life

The Cell: an Overview

Energy and Enzymes

Cell Membranes and Signalling

Cellular Respiration

Photosynthesis

Cell Cycles

Genetic Recombination

Mendel, Genes, and Inheritance

Genes, Chromosomes, and Human Genetics

Dna Structure, Replication, and Organization

Gene Structure and Expression

Control of Gene Expression

Dna Technologies

Genomes and Proteomes

Evolution: the Development of the Theory

Microevolution: Changes Within Populations

Species and Macroevolution

Understanding the History of Life on Earth

Humans and Evolution

Bacteria and Archaea

Viruses, Viroids, and Prions: Infectious Biological Particles

Protists

Fungi

Plants

Diversity of Animals 1: Sponges, Radiata, Platyhelminthes, and Protostomes

Diversity of Animals 2: Deuterostomes: Vertebrates and Their Closest Relatives

Population Ecology

Population Interactions and Community Ecology

Ecosystems

Conservation of Biodiversity

Putting Selection to Work

Organization of the Plant Body

Transport in Plants

Reproduction and Development in Flowering Plants

Plant Nutrition

Plant Signals and Responses to the Environment

Introduction to Animal Organization and Physiology

Transport in Animals: the Circulatory System

Reproduction in Animals

Animal Development

Control of Animal Processes: Neural Control

Control of Animal Processes: Neural Control

Control of Animal Processes: Neural Integration

Muscles, Skeletons, and Body Movements

Animal Behaviour

Animal Nutrition

Gas Exchange: the Respiratory System

Regulating the Internal Environment

Defences Against Disease

Conservation and Evolutionary Physiology

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