Biology (Raven), 10th Edition

Chapter 26: The Origin and Diversity of Life

Post-Test

1
Both DNA and RNA can store information, yet DNA is the major information storage molecule in most cells. What are the advantages of using DNA for information storage instead of RNA?
A)DNA strands are less likely to spontaneously break because of the hydrogen bonds between bases.
B)If DNA stored information for the synthesis of RNA, RNA could be freed up for enzymatic functions.
C)Cells with both DNA and RNA would have an advantage over cells with just RNA, because DNA does not spontaneously break and RNA could carry out enzymatic functions.
D)Reverse transcriptase could occur and DNA could make RNA.
E)DNA could be used to make proteins directly.
2
The time it requires for exactly one-half of a given amount of a radioactive isotope of an element to decay is called that isotope's
A)decay time.
B)decay product.
C)half-life.
D)half-decay.
E)useful dating range.
3
The chemical composition of the gases surrounding the Earth has changed substantially over the past 4 billion years. One notable change was due to the emergence of organisms that photosynthesized. Their photosynthesis increased the amount of which of the following gases in the atmosphere?
A)Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B)Nitrogen (N2)
C)Hydrogen Sulfide (H2SO4)
D)Oxygen (O2)
E)Water vapor (H2O)
4
What is the most likely origin of chloroplasts and mitochondria?
A)Serial endosymbiosis of first a heterotrophic bacterium, and then in algae, a subsequent acquisition of cyanobacteria.
B)Endosymbiosis of an ancestral prokaryote which diverged to form these organelles in a host which eventually gave rise to eukaryotes.
C)Uptake of DNA of eukaryotes from dead bacteria gave rise to new combinations, eventually forming these organelles through natural selection.
D)Ancestors to plants picked up a cyanobacterium which gave rise to chloroplasts. Animal ancestors did the same to a heterotrophic bacterium to establish mitochondria.
E)More than one of these answers is believed to be correct by most scientists.
5
Stromatolites are
A)layered rocklike structures formed by some cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
B)the earliest known arthropods.
C)found only in rocks of Carboniferous age.
D)the earliest known arthropods and found only in rocks of Carboniferous age are correct.
E)fossilized coral reefs.
6
The origin of the mitochondrion and chloroplast by endosymbiosis, hypothesizes that these organelles originated by
A)the fusion of two archean cells to form the eukaryote with the eukaryotic mitochondrion and chloroplast inside.
B)the absorption of RNA from prokaryotic cells.
C)prokaryotic cells being engulfed and becoming internal symbionts within an early eukaryotic cell.
D)only the absorption of DNA from dead prokaryotic cells used as food.
E)prokaryotic cells being engulfed and becoming external symbionts within an early bacteria cell.
7
Something can be considered alive if it clearly demonstrates at least ONE of the principle properties common to organisms.
A)True
B)False
8
Which taxonomic category includes more creatures than an Order, but less than a Kingdom?
A)Genus
B)Species
C)Family
D)Class
E)Domain
9
The event called the Cambrian Explosion resulted in an abrupt increase in
A)geological activity.
B)diversity of major animal groups.
C)algal diversity.
D)the number of days in the year.
E)the amount of fish, of a single species, in the seas.
10
Flowering plants originated during the
A)Permian Period.
B)Tertiary Period.
C)Devonian Period.
D)Cretaceous Period.
E)Jurassic Period.
11
The "Age of Dinosaurs" occurred during which era?
A)Phanerozoic.
B)Mesozoic.
C)Cenozoic.
D)Proterozoic.
E)Precambrian.
12
The age of the Earth according to modern estimations is
A)8 billion years.
B)4.5 billion years.
C)3.5 billion years.
D)1.5 billion years.
E)a few thousand years.
13
Which of the following was produced in experiments on primitive Earth conditions conducted by Miller-Urey and others?
A)ammonia and water
B)amino acids
C)CO2 and H2O
D)formaldehyde and hydrogen sulfide
E)methane and oxygen
14
It has been discovered that enzyme-like catalysis can be carried out not only by enzymes but also by
A)sugars.
B)DNA.
C)phospholipids.
D)RNA.
E)steroids.
15
The group that probably gave rise to chloroplasts is the
A)cyanobacteria.
B)green photosynthetic bacteria.
C)purple sulfur bacteria.
D)non-sulfur purple bacteria.
E)methane bacteria.
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