Chapter 17:
The Origin of Life
Practice Test
1.
Margulis hypothesized that mitochondria and plastids originated as free-living prokaryotes. What evidence supports this theory?
a.
Both mitochondria and plastids have their own DNA and ribosomes.
b.
Both mitochondria and plastids are photosynthetic.
c.
Both mitochondria and plastids can live on their own outside of a cell.
d.
Both mitochondria and plastids have cell walls.
Hint
2.
Evidence shows that about 15 billion years ago, the whole universe was condensed into one mass that exploded. What is that explosion known as?
a.
The Hubble Space Telescope
b.
The Big Bang
c.
The Origin of Life
d.
The Supernova
Hint
3.
During which era of geologic time did mammals first appear?
a.
Mesozoic
b.
Precambrian
c.
Cenozoic
d.
Paleozoic
Hint
4.
What is the evidence against viruses being the first forms of life on Earth?
a.
Viruses can only reproduce inside living cells.
b.
Viruses have DNA or RNA and a protein coat.
c.
Viruses form crystals.
d.
Viruses can synthesize proteins and use energy.
Hint
5.
During which era of geologic time did land plants first appear?
a.
Mesozoic
b.
Cenozoic
c.
Paleozoic
d.
Precambrian
Hint
6.
How are living things on Earth's surface protected from ultraviolet radiation?
a.
by the ozone layer
b.
by the methane layer
c.
by the carbon dioxide layer
d.
by clouds
Hint
7.
What materials did Miller and Urey place into their apparatus to simulate conditions on early Earth?
a.
methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, water
b.
methane, hydrogen, ammonia gases, water vapor
c.
nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, water
d.
oxygen, water, hydrogen, carbon dioxide
Hint
8.
What did scientists discover when spacecraft flew through the tail of Halley's comet in 1986?
a.
organic compounds, including formaldehyde
b.
ozone
c.
amino acids
d.
DNA
Hint
9.
What is an organism that has a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with a host organism while living in the host?
a.
endosymbiont
b.
hydrothermal organism
c.
stromatolite
d.
methanogen
Hint
10.
When did oxygen gas first begin to accumulate in the atmosphere?
a.
about 3.5 to 3.0 billion years ago
b.
about 4.6 million years ago
c.
about 4.6 billion years ago
d.
about 3.5 million years ago
Hint
