EVOLUTION

Question 1

The layer that formed in the atmosphere, protecting early life from harmful UV radiation.

Answer 1

Ozone layer

Question 2

The process by which simple molecules combined to form complex organic compounds necessary for life.

Answer 2

Chemical evolution

Question 3

The concept that populations of living things change over time due to genetic modifications.

Answer 3

Evolution

Question 4

What was the significance of the ozone layer in early evolution?

a) It provided oxygen for early life forms
b) It allowed anaerobic organisms to thrive
c) It protected life from harmful UV radiation
d) It created the first multicellular organisms

Answer 4

c) It protected life from harmful UV radiation

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of an adaptation?

a) A penguin’s ability to swim efficiently
b) A human learning a new language
c) A dog being trained to fetch
d) A plant dying due to drought

Answer 5

a) A penguin’s ability to swim efficiently

Question 6

What was the main idea proposed in Darwin’s book The Origin of Species?

a) Species do not change over time
b) Evolution occurs through natural selection
c) Mutations are the only mechanism for evolution
d) Organisms change within their lifetime and pass traits to offspring

Answer 6

b) Evolution occurs through natural selection

Question 7

The biological process where certain organisms obtain energy from inorganic chemical reactions instead of sunlight.

Answer 7

Chemosynthesis

Question 8

Which of the following was a major consequence of oxygen accumulation in Earth’s atmosphere?

a) Oxygen bonded with iron to form rust in ancient rocks
b) All anaerobic organisms went extinct
c) The ozone layer disappeared
d) The Earth’s temperature significantly decreased

Answer 8

a) Oxygen bonded with iron to form rust in ancient rocks

Question 9

The process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Answer 9

Natural selection

Question 10

What role does the environment play in natural selection?

a) It directly causes mutations in organisms
b) It determines which traits are beneficial for survival
c) It selects which organisms should mutate
d) It provides all organisms with equal chances of survival

Answer 10

b) It determines which traits are beneficial for survival

Question 11

Which of the following best describes evolution?

a) A change in an individual’s characteristics during its lifetime
b) A cumulative change in the genetic composition of a population over time
c) The process of an organism trying to adapt to its surroundings
d) The sudden creation of new species

Answer 11

b) A cumulative change in the genetic composition of a population over time

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the Serial Endosymbiosis Theory?

a) Prokaryotic cells engulfed other prokaryotic cells, leading to eukaryotes
b) DNA spontaneously appeared in the first cell
c) RNA evolved into DNA inside the first organisms
d) Early life originated from hydrothermal vents

Answer 12

a) Prokaryotic cells engulfed other prokaryotic cells, leading to eukaryotes

Question 13

What evidence supports the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts?

a) They have their own circular DNA similar to bacteria
b) They can reproduce independently of the host cell
c) They have double membranes
d) All of the above

Answer 13

d) All of the above

Question 14

The father of the theory of evolution who proposed natural selection as the mechanism of evolution.

Answer 14

Charles Darwin

Answer 15

b) It allows populations to adapt to changing environments

Question 16

A type of selection in which nature determines which traits are most suitable for survival.

Answer 16

Natural selection

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of competition?

a) Birds migrating to warmer areas
b) Lions fighting for territory and food
c) Fish developing resistance to pollutants
d) Bacteria evolving to survive antibiotics

Answer 17

21. b) Lions fighting for territory and food

Question 18

What was the main gas that was NOT present in Earth’s primitive atmosphere?

a) Methane (CH4)
b) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
c) Oxygen (O2)
d) Nitrogen (N2)

Answer 18

a) Methane (CH4)

Question 19

The first genetic material believed to have had enzymatic properties, allowing self-replication.

Answer 19

Ribozyme

Question 20

The factor in evolution that describes differences among individuals of the same species.

Answer 20

Genetic variation

Question 21

What is the primary factor that drives competition among individuals in a population?

a) Overproduction of offspring
b) Migration of individuals
c) Random mutations
d) Increase in genetic diversity

Answer 21

a) Overproduction of offspring

Question 22

A situation in which organisms must struggle for resources like food and shelter to survive.

Answer 22

Competition

Question 23

The name for the period when oxygen first accumulated in Earth’s atmosphere, drastically changing life.

Answer 23

Great Oxygenation Event

Question 24

What does natural selection act upon in a population?

a) Acquired traits
b) Genetic variation among individuals
c) Environmental changes
d) Individual learning abilities

Answer 24

b) Genetic variation among individuals

Question 25

What energy sources were responsible for driving the chemical reactions that formed the first organic molecules? a) Solar radiation and heat from Earth's core b) Lightning and UV radiation c) Wind and ocean currents d) Meteor impacts and earthquakes

Answer 25

b) Lightning and UV radiation

Question 26

The idea that all species descend from common ancestors but become different over time.

Answer 26

Descent with modification

Question 27

What was the primary cause of the Great Oxygenation Event? a) Increased volcanic activity b) The emergence of oxygen-producing photosynthetic bacteria c) The spread of anaerobic respiration d) The impact of a massive asteroid

Answer 27

b) The emergence of oxygen-producing photosynthetic bacteria

Question 28

What does "descent with modification" mean in evolutionary biology? a) Offspring are identical to their parents b) Organisms change within their lifetime c) Populations accumulate genetic changes over generations d) Evolution only happens in plants

Answer 28

c) Populations accumulate genetic changes over generations

Question 29

What is the best definition of speciation? a) The extinction of an old species b) The introduction of new mutations in an organism c) The formation of a new species from an existing population d) The migration of organisms to new environments

Answer 29

c) The formation of a new species from an existing population

Question 30

Which statement about the first life forms is correct? a) They were aerobic eukaryotic cells b) They depended on oxygen for survival c) They were prokaryotic and anaerobic d) They had complex organelles for energy production

Answer 30

c) They were prokaryotic and anaerobic

Question 31

How did the first autotrophic organisms likely obtain energy before photosynthesis evolved? a) They absorbed energy from lightning b) They used chemosynthesis to derive energy from inorganic chemicals c) They relied on consuming other organisms d) They depended on fermentation

Answer 31

b) They used chemosynthesis to derive energy from inorganic chemicals

Question 32

The formation of a new species over many generations due to accumulated adaptations.

Answer 32

Speciation

Question 33

The process through which organisms began using sunlight to produce energy and release oxygen.

Answer 33

Photosynthesis

Question 34

Which of the following describes a niche? a) The role an organism plays in its environment b) The ability of an organism to adapt instantly c) A random genetic mutation d) A specific species that never changes

Answer 34

a) The role an organism plays in its environment

Question 35

The hypothesis that life originated from non-living matter through a gradual chemical process.

Answer 35

Abiogenesis

Question 36

How does genetic variation contribute to evolution? a) It ensures all individuals are identical b) It allows some individuals to survive and reproduce better than others c) It prevents populations from adapting to environmental changes d) It only affects small populations

Answer 36

b) It allows some individuals to survive and reproduce better than others

Question 37

What happens when a population produces more offspring than the environment can support? a) All offspring survive and reproduce b) Only those with favorable traits survive and reproduce c) The population remains unchanged d) Every individual has an equal chance of survival

Answer 37

b) Only those with favorable traits survive and reproduce

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin’s six main points of evolution? a) Overproduction b) Artificial selection c) Genetic variation d) Natural selection

Answer 38

b) Artificial selection

Question 39

What was the likely function of ribozymes in early life? a) Storing genetic information b) Acting as enzymes to catalyze reactions c) Producing oxygen through photosynthesis d) Engulfing other cells for nutrients

Answer 39

b) Acting as enzymes to catalyze reactions

Question 40

The type of respiration used by early prokaryotic organisms that did not require oxygen

Answer 40

Anaerobic respiration

Question 41

The inherited characteristics that increase an organism’s chance of survival and reproduction.

Answer 41

Adaptation

Question 42

The theory that explains how eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic ancestors through symbiosis.

Answer 42

Serial Endosymbiosis Theory

Question 43

The area an organism occupies within its habitat and its role in the ecosystem.

Answer 43

Niche

Question 44

Which of the following statements about natural selection is TRUE? a) It leads to perfectly adapted organisms b) It only occurs in large populations c) It favors traits that increase reproductive success d) It works towards a specific goal

Answer 44

c) It favors traits that increase reproductive success

Question 45

The first type of organisms that lived on Earth, which lacked a nucleus.

Answer 45

Prokaryotes