Chapter 25: The History Of Life On Earth

Question 0

collections of abiotically produced organic molecules surrounded by a membrane-like structure

Answer 0

protocells (protobionts)

Question 1

the pattern of evolution over large time scales

Answer 1

macroevolution

Question 2

independently hypothesized that the conditions on early earth, in particular, the reducing atmosphere, lightning, and intense UV radiation, favored the synthesis of organic compounds

Answer 2

Oparin and Haldane

Question 3

experimentally supported Oparin & Haldane hypothesis using an apparatus that stimulated the hypothetical conditions of Early Earth

Answer 3

Miller and Urey

Question 4

plays central role in protein synthesia, can carry out several enzyme-like catalytic functions

Answer 4

self-replicating RNA

Question 5

enzyme-like RNA catalysts; can make complementary copies of short pieces of RNA

Answer 5

riboenzymes

Question 6

based on sequence of fossils found in the strata of sedimentary rocks; provides evidence of great changes in the organisms that have lived on earth

Answer 6

fossil record

Question 7

scientists that study fossils

Answer 7

paleontologists

Question 8

the sequence in which the fossils were laid down; determined by the order of fossils in rock strata

Answer 8

relative dating

Question 9

based on the decay of radioactive isotopes; used to determine absolute age of a fossil

Answer 9

radiometric dating

Question 10

the time required for 50% of the parent isotope to decay

Answer 10

half-life

Question 11

organisms with cells that lack membrane-enclosed organelles and nucleus

Answer 11

prokaryotes

Question 12

posits that mitochondria and plastids were formerly small prokaryotes that began living within larger cells

Answer 12

endosymbiosis evidence

Question 13

organisms with more than one eukaryotic cell; plants, algae, fungi, and animals

Answer 13

multicellular eukaryotes

Question 14

photosynthetic prokaryotes coated damp terrestrial surfaces; gradual evolutionary venture out of aquatic environments

Answer 14

colonization of land

Question 15

slow movement of continental plates across Earth’s surface

Answer 15

continental drift

Question 16

large numbers of species become extinct throughout Earth

Answer 16

mass extinction

Question 17

structures that evolve in one context but become co-opted for another function

Answer 17

exaptations

Question 18

periods of evolutionary change in which groups of organisms form many new species whose adaptations allow them to fill different niches

Answer 18

adaptive radiation

Question 19

research at the interface between evolutionary biology and developmental biology

Answer 19

evo-devo

Question 20

“different chronos”; an evolutionary change in the rate or timing of developmental events

Answer 20

heterochrony

Question 21

master regulatory genes

Answer 21

homeotic genes