Question 1

The most ancient lineage in kingdom Animalia is the ________ followed closely by the ________.

Accepted Answer

A) sponges;cnidarians 
B) echinoderms;chordates 
C) chordates;deuterostomes 
D) arthropods;protostomes 
A) sponges;cnidarians 
B) echinoderms;chordates 
C) chordates;deuterostomes 
D) arthropods;protostomes A

Question 2

Evolutionary trees are based on

Accepted Answer

A) the principle of convergent evolution. 
B) a set of shared characteristics believed to have arisen in a common ancestor. 
C) similarities in the function of a characteristic or trait. 
D) consensus among biologists regarding the usefulness of particular traits. 
A) the principle of convergent evolution. 
B) a set of shared characteristics believed to have arisen in a common ancestor. 
C) similarities in the function of a characteristic or trait. 
D) consensus among biologists regarding the usefulness of particular traits. B

Question 3

Briefly explain how new scientific findings may change the arrangement of an evolutionary tree while enhancing our understanding of evolution.

Accepted Answer

Upon finding and evaluating fossils,it is possible that formerly unknown species may be identified.As the relationship of any newly discovered species to previously known species is determined,it may change the way we understand the relationships of known species.This does not undermine our understanding of evolution;it only enhances it by adding to our knowledge and understanding.The more that is learned about the relationships between related species,the better we will understand the evolutionary progression.

Question 4

Early birds had small,thick skulls and two toes on each foot.Archaeopteryx had a long,almost pointy skull,and three toes on each foot.Early birds and Archaeopteryx shared the traits of feathers,clawed hands,and a long,bony tail.Examine the two trees presented in the figure below.Assuming that Xiaotingia shared traits with Archaeopteryx that neither of them shared with birds and looking only at the traits presented here,which of the trees shows the most likely relationship between these three animals? Support your answer by indicating which tree branch is initiated by which characteristic.

Accepted Answer

Xu's dinosaur-bird tree is the more prob

Question 5

The current classification system used by biologists is

Accepted Answer

A) complex and unchanging. 
B) universally accepted by all biologists. 
C) based on four generalized types of living organisms: the Bacteria,the Archaea,the Eukary,and the Protista. 
D) updated and revised whenever new information becomes available. 
A) complex and unchanging. 
B) universally accepted by all biologists. 
C) based on four generalized types of living organisms: the Bacteria,the Archaea,the Eukary,and the Protista. 
D) updated and revised whenever new information becomes available.

Question 6

The figure below shows the number of living taxonomic families that existed on Earth during the last 540 million years.The sudden decreases in family numbers at 445,360,250,200,and 65 million years ago represent Earth's five mass extinction events.Based on this data,which mass extinction had the biggest impact on the overall diversity of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) 200 million years ago 
B) 250 million years ago 
C) 360 million years ago 
D) 445 million years ago 
A) 200 million years ago 
B) 250 million years ago 
C) 360 million years ago 
D) 445 million years ago

Question 7

Why might many new species form in the aftermath of a mass extinction?

Accepted Answer

A) Gene flow among the remaining species would be increased,giving rise to many new genetic recombinations. 
B) Changed environments and reduced competition would provide opportunities for new adaptations. 
C) New environments would increase mutation rates. 
D) Populations of remaining species would expand rapidly and reduce geographic isolation. 
A) Gene flow among the remaining species would be increased,giving rise to many new genetic recombinations. 
B) Changed environments and reduced competition would provide opportunities for new adaptations. 
C) New environments would increase mutation rates. 
D) Populations of remaining species would expand rapidly and reduce geographic isolation.

Question 8

MATCHING
Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period
-Precambrian

Accepted Answer

A) repeated advance and retreat of glaciers; evolution of humans; extinction of large mammals and birds; 0-2.6 mya 
B) continents begin to separate; diverse dinosaurs; first birds; first flowering plants; 145-200 mya 
C) extensive forests; amphibians dominate life on land; increase in diversity of insects; first reptiles; 300-360 mya 
D) further increases in diversity of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; plants and fungi begin to colonize land; mass extinction at end of period; 445-490 mya 
E) origin of life; photosynthesis causes oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere to increase; first eukaryotes; first multicellular organisms; 540 mya-3.8 bya
F)continents near present positions; increased diversity of flowering plants, birds, mammals, and pollinating insects; 2.6-65 mya
G)early dinosaurs; first mammals; mass extinction at end of period; 200-250 mya
H)increase in diversity of land plants; first amphibians colonize land; mass extinction late in period; 360-415 mya
I)large and relatively sudden increase in the diversity of animal life; increase in diversity of algae; first vertebrates; 490-540 mya
J)flowering plants begin to dominate life on land; mass extinction at end of period, including extinction of the last dinosaurs; 65-145 mya
K)continents come together to form Pangaea; reptiles dominate life on land by 265 mya; mass extinction at end of period; 250-300 mya
L)increase in diversity of fishes; first hints of colonization of land by insects and other invertebrates; 415-445 mya 
A) repeated advance and retreat of glaciers; evolution of humans; extinction of large mammals and birds; 0-2.6 mya 
B) continents begin to separate; diverse dinosaurs; first birds; first flowering plants; 145-200 mya 
C) extensive forests; amphibians dominate life on land; increase in diversity of insects; first reptiles; 300-360 mya 
D) further increases in diversity of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; plants and fungi begin to colonize land; mass extinction at end of period; 445-490 mya 
E) origin of life; photosynthesis causes oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere to increase; first eukaryotes; first multicellular organisms; 540 mya-3.8 bya
F)continents near present positions; increased diversity of flowering plants, birds, mammals, and pollinating insects; 2.6-65 mya
G)early dinosaurs; first mammals; mass extinction at end of period; 200-250 mya
H)increase in diversity of land plants; first amphibians colonize land; mass extinction late in period; 360-415 mya
I)large and relatively sudden increase in the diversity of animal life; increase in diversity of algae; first vertebrates; 490-540 mya
J)flowering plants begin to dominate life on land; mass extinction at end of period, including extinction of the last dinosaurs; 65-145 mya
K)continents come together to form Pangaea; reptiles dominate life on land by 265 mya; mass extinction at end of period; 250-300 mya
L)increase in diversity of fishes; first hints of colonization of land by insects and other invertebrates; 415-445 mya

Question 9

When did photosynthesis evolve and how did it influence the evolution of life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Roughly 2.8 bya (during the Precambrian

Question 10

MATCHING
Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period
-Quaternary

Accepted Answer

A) repeated advance and retreat of glaciers; evolution of humans; extinction of large mammals and birds; 0-2.6 mya 
B) continents begin to separate; diverse dinosaurs; first birds; first flowering plants; 145-200 mya 
C) extensive forests; amphibians dominate life on land; increase in diversity of insects; first reptiles; 300-360 mya 
D) further increases in diversity of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; plants and fungi begin to colonize land; mass extinction at end of period; 445-490 mya 
E) origin of life; photosynthesis causes oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere to increase; first eukaryotes; first multicellular organisms; 540 mya-3.8 bya
F)continents near present positions; increased diversity of flowering plants, birds, mammals, and pollinating insects; 2.6-65 mya
G)early dinosaurs; first mammals; mass extinction at end of period; 200-250 mya
H)increase in diversity of land plants; first amphibians colonize land; mass extinction late in period; 360-415 mya
I)large and relatively sudden increase in the diversity of animal life; increase in diversity of algae; first vertebrates; 490-540 mya
J)flowering plants begin to dominate life on land; mass extinction at end of period, including extinction of the last dinosaurs; 65-145 mya
K)continents come together to form Pangaea; reptiles dominate life on land by 265 mya; mass extinction at end of period; 250-300 mya
L)increase in diversity of fishes; first hints of colonization of land by insects and other invertebrates; 415-445 mya 
A) repeated advance and retreat of glaciers; evolution of humans; extinction of large mammals and birds; 0-2.6 mya 
B) continents begin to separate; diverse dinosaurs; first birds; first flowering plants; 145-200 mya 
C) extensive forests; amphibians dominate life on land; increase in diversity of insects; first reptiles; 300-360 mya 
D) further increases in diversity of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; plants and fungi begin to colonize land; mass extinction at end of period; 445-490 mya 
E) origin of life; photosynthesis causes oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere to increase; first eukaryotes; first multicellular organisms; 540 mya-3.8 bya
F)continents near present positions; increased diversity of flowering plants, birds, mammals, and pollinating insects; 2.6-65 mya
G)early dinosaurs; first mammals; mass extinction at end of period; 200-250 mya
H)increase in diversity of land plants; first amphibians colonize land; mass extinction late in period; 360-415 mya
I)large and relatively sudden increase in the diversity of animal life; increase in diversity of algae; first vertebrates; 490-540 mya
J)flowering plants begin to dominate life on land; mass extinction at end of period, including extinction of the last dinosaurs; 65-145 mya
K)continents come together to form Pangaea; reptiles dominate life on land by 265 mya; mass extinction at end of period; 250-300 mya
L)increase in diversity of fishes; first hints of colonization of land by insects and other invertebrates; 415-445 mya

Question 11

Any two groups of organisms will have

Accepted Answer

A) two most recent common ancestors. 
B) no more than four most recent common ancestors. 
C) only one most recent common ancestor. 
D) as many as 16 most recent common ancestors. 
A) two most recent common ancestors. 
B) no more than four most recent common ancestors. 
C) only one most recent common ancestor. 
D) as many as 16 most recent common ancestors.

Question 12

Scientists use existing fossils to predict what the transitional forms between organisms might look like.Why might it be so hard for scientists to find fossils of these transitional forms?

Accepted Answer

A) Scientists have no way to determine how deep in a rock to look for a transitional fossil,so they just have to dig and dig until they find the right fossil. 
B) Because of continental drift,the exact location of where a transitional fossil should be found cannot be determined.Looking for a particular fossil that could be anywhere on the planet is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 
C) Fossils of transitional species may have never formed due to environmental conditions,or if they did form,natural processes like erosion may have destroyed them. 
D) The transitional form of any organism is only hypothetical in nature;it never truly existed on the planet and,therefore,could never become a fossil. 
A) Scientists have no way to determine how deep in a rock to look for a transitional fossil,so they just have to dig and dig until they find the right fossil. 
B) Because of continental drift,the exact location of where a transitional fossil should be found cannot be determined.Looking for a particular fossil that could be anywhere on the planet is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 
C) Fossils of transitional species may have never formed due to environmental conditions,or if they did form,natural processes like erosion may have destroyed them. 
D) The transitional form of any organism is only hypothetical in nature;it never truly existed on the planet and,therefore,could never become a fossil.

Question 13

Which of these kingdoms share a most recent,common ancestor?

Accepted Answer

A) Plantae and Fungi 
B) Plantae and Animalia 
C) Animalia and Protista 
D) Animal and Fungi 
A) Plantae and Fungi 
B) Plantae and Animalia 
C) Animalia and Protista 
D) Animal and Fungi

Question 14

Mass extinctions cause the loss of many species,no matter how well adapted those species were before the extinction.Why might previous adaptations NOT help a species survive a mass extinction?

Accepted Answer

A) The rapid environmental changes that cause mass extinctions do not leave the organisms time to adapt. 
B) Ongoing continental drift allows more species to interbreed,which lowers the genetic variability available for adaptation. 
C) Adaptive radiations are stronger than adaptations. 
D) Well-adapted organisms will not be affected by mass extinction;these are the groups that will survive. 
A) The rapid environmental changes that cause mass extinctions do not leave the organisms time to adapt. 
B) Ongoing continental drift allows more species to interbreed,which lowers the genetic variability available for adaptation. 
C) Adaptive radiations are stronger than adaptations. 
D) Well-adapted organisms will not be affected by mass extinction;these are the groups that will survive.

Question 15

Branches on the evolutionary tree are sometimes rearranged by scientists because

Accepted Answer

A) new,related fossils or new information about existing fossils changes the understanding of the relationships. 
B) new,unrelated fossils are intentionally put on the tree with existing fossils. 
C) scientists are trying to prove a nonexistent relationship between species. 
D) scientists have definitely proven a relationship between two or more species. 
A) new,related fossils or new information about existing fossils changes the understanding of the relationships. 
B) new,unrelated fossils are intentionally put on the tree with existing fossils. 
C) scientists are trying to prove a nonexistent relationship between species. 
D) scientists have definitely proven a relationship between two or more species.

Question 16

The appearance of eukaryotes may have been delayed until more ________ accumulated in Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) oxygen 
B) nitrogen 
C) carbon 
D) sulfur 
A) oxygen 
B) nitrogen 
C) carbon 
D) sulfur

Question 17

The most recent mass extinction,which occurred during the Cretaceous period,may have been caused by

Accepted Answer

A) extra heat from the sun. 
B) the pull of the moon on Earth. 
C) the dinosaurs. 
D) an asteroid hitting Earth. 
A) extra heat from the sun. 
B) the pull of the moon on Earth. 
C) the dinosaurs. 
D) an asteroid hitting Earth.

Question 18

The following numbered sets each represent a distinct group of organisms: (1)three toes per foot,feathers,cold-blooded,no finger adaptations
(2)three toes per foot,body hair,warm-blooded,opposable thumbs
(3)three toes per foot,feathers,warm-blooded,no finger adaptation
(4)three toes per foot,body hair,warm-blooded,no finger adaptations
Which of the following choices is the most likely to represent the order in which these groups would appear on an evolutionary tree,from oldest to youngest?

Accepted Answer

A) 1,2,3,4 
B) 4,2,3,1 
C) 1,3,4,2 
D) 2,1,4,3 
A) 1,2,3,4 
B) 4,2,3,1 
C) 1,3,4,2 
D) 2,1,4,3

Question 19

Monotremes,like the duck-billed platypus,are egg-laying mammals (oviparous)covered in hair,have mammary and skin glands,three ear ossicles,are diphyodont (their permanent teeth replace their "baby" teeth),and possess dentary-squamosal jaw articulation (the jaw bone hinges with the squamosal bone of the skull).Marsupials,such as kangaroos and koalas,are pouched mammals that have a vertical tympanic membrane in addition to being covered in hair,have mammary and skin glands,three ear ossicles,are diphyodont,and possess dentary-squamosal jaw articulation.Eutherians are the placental mammals that most people easily recognize as mammals.They are covered in hair,have mammary and skin glands,three ear ossicles,are diphyodont,possess dentary-squamosal jaw articulation,and have a vertical tympanic membrane. What one shared derived trait sets marsupials and eutherians apart from monotremes?

Accepted Answer

A) being diphyodont 
B) having a vertical tympanic membrane 
C) having a dentary-squamosal jaw 
D) being covered in hair 
A) being diphyodont 
B) having a vertical tympanic membrane 
C) having a dentary-squamosal jaw 
D) being covered in hair

Question 20

MATCHING
Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period
-Devonian

Accepted Answer

A) repeated advance and retreat of glaciers; evolution of humans; extinction of large mammals and birds; 0-2.6 mya 
B) continents begin to separate; diverse dinosaurs; first birds; first flowering plants; 145-200 mya 
C) extensive forests; amphibians dominate life on land; increase in diversity of insects; first reptiles; 300-360 mya 
D) further increases in diversity of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; plants and fungi begin to colonize land; mass extinction at end of period; 445-490 mya 
E) origin of life; photosynthesis causes oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere to increase; first eukaryotes; first multicellular organisms; 540 mya-3.8 bya
F)continents near present positions; increased diversity of flowering plants, birds, mammals, and pollinating insects; 2.6-65 mya
G)early dinosaurs; first mammals; mass extinction at end of period; 200-250 mya
H)increase in diversity of land plants; first amphibians colonize land; mass extinction late in period; 360-415 mya
I)large and relatively sudden increase in the diversity of animal life; increase in diversity of algae; first vertebrates; 490-540 mya
J)flowering plants begin to dominate life on land; mass extinction at end of period, including extinction of the last dinosaurs; 65-145 mya
K)continents come together to form Pangaea; reptiles dominate life on land by 265 mya; mass extinction at end of period; 250-300 mya
L)increase in diversity of fishes; first hints of colonization of land by insects and other invertebrates; 415-445 mya 
A) repeated advance and retreat of glaciers; evolution of humans; extinction of large mammals and birds; 0-2.6 mya 
B) continents begin to separate; diverse dinosaurs; first birds; first flowering plants; 145-200 mya 
C) extensive forests; amphibians dominate life on land; increase in diversity of insects; first reptiles; 300-360 mya 
D) further increases in diversity of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; plants and fungi begin to colonize land; mass extinction at end of period; 445-490 mya 
E) origin of life; photosynthesis causes oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere to increase; first eukaryotes; first multicellular organisms; 540 mya-3.8 bya
F)continents near present positions; increased diversity of flowering plants, birds, mammals, and pollinating insects; 2.6-65 mya
G)early dinosaurs; first mammals; mass extinction at end of period; 200-250 mya
H)increase in diversity of land plants; first amphibians colonize land; mass extinction late in period; 360-415 mya
I)large and relatively sudden increase in the diversity of animal life; increase in diversity of algae; first vertebrates; 490-540 mya
J)flowering plants begin to dominate life on land; mass extinction at end of period, including extinction of the last dinosaurs; 65-145 mya
K)continents come together to form Pangaea; reptiles dominate life on land by 265 mya; mass extinction at end of period; 250-300 mya
L)increase in diversity of fishes; first hints of colonization of land by insects and other invertebrates; 415-445 mya

The most ancient lineage in kingdom Animalia is the followed closely by the .

Evolutionary trees are based on

Briefly explain how new scientific findings may change the arrangement of an evolutionary tree while enhancing our understanding of evolution.

The current classification system used by biologists is

Why might many new species form in the aftermath of a mass extinction?

MATCHING Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period -Precambrian

When did photosynthesis evolve and how did it influence the evolution of life on Earth?

MATCHING Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period -Quaternary

Any two groups of organisms will have

Scientists use existing fossils to predict what the transitional forms between organisms might look like.Why might it be so hard for scientists to find fossils of these transitional forms?

Which of these kingdoms share a most recent,common ancestor?

Mass extinctions cause the loss of many species,no matter how well adapted those species were before the extinction.Why might previous adaptations NOT help a species survive a mass extinction?

Branches on the evolutionary tree are sometimes rearranged by scientists because

The appearance of eukaryotes may have been delayed until more ________ accumulated in Earth's atmosphere.

The most recent mass extinction,which occurred during the Cretaceous period,may have been caused by

MATCHING Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period -Devonian

The Nature of Science

Chemistry of Life

Life Is Cellular

How Cells Work

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

What Genes Are

How Genes Work

Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution

Adaptation and Species

Human Evolution

General Principles of Ecology

Growth of Populations

Communities of Organisms

Ecosystems

Applying the Science

Filters

Exam 13: The History of Life

The most ancient lineage in kingdom Animalia is the ________ followed closely by the ________.

Evolutionary trees are based on

Briefly explain how new scientific findings may change the arrangement of an evolutionary tree while enhancing our understanding of evolution.

The current classification system used by biologists is

Why might many new species form in the aftermath of a mass extinction?

MATCHING Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period -Precambrian

When did photosynthesis evolve and how did it influence the evolution of life on Earth?

MATCHING Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period -Quaternary

Any two groups of organisms will have

Scientists use existing fossils to predict what the transitional forms between organisms might look like.Why might it be so hard for scientists to find fossils of these transitional forms?

Which of these kingdoms share a most recent,common ancestor?

Mass extinctions cause the loss of many species,no matter how well adapted those species were before the extinction.Why might previous adaptations NOT help a species survive a mass extinction?

Branches on the evolutionary tree are sometimes rearranged by scientists because

The appearance of eukaryotes may have been delayed until more ________ accumulated in Earth's atmosphere.

The most recent mass extinction,which occurred during the Cretaceous period,may have been caused by

MATCHING Correctly match the definition with the correct geologic time period -Devonian

The Nature of Science

Chemistry of Life

Life Is Cellular

How Cells Work

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

What Genes Are

How Genes Work

Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution

Adaptation and Species

Human Evolution

General Principles of Ecology

Growth of Populations

Communities of Organisms

Ecosystems

Applying the Science

Filters

The most ancient lineage in kingdom Animalia is the followed closely by the .