Quiz

QUIZ

1. What was the first geological period on earth called?

a. Cenozoic b. Hadean c. Paleozoic d. Phanerozoic

Answer: b. The Hadean period is the first period known on earth. This was followed by several other periods.

2. During which geologic eon did mankind and mammals first occur on earth?

a. Paleozoic b. Archean c. Cenozoic d. Mesozoic

Answer: c. The Cenozoic eon was the latest eon. It was when mammals and mankind was first developed and happened after the dinosaurs died out.

3. When did the first prokaryotes first emerge on earth?

a. Archean era b. Phanerozoic era c. Cenozoic era d. Hadean era

Answer: a. The Archean era or eon is when the first prokaryotic forms of life developed on earth. This was shortly after earth s crust was solidified and when earth was no longer molten.

4. How did the moon form around the earth?

a. It was once an asteroid. b. It formed from dust and gases around the earth. c. It was a small planet that crashed into the earth. d. It was broken off from the earth when it formed.

Answer: c. The moon was once a small planet that crashed into the earth. The name of the planet, which was about the size of Mars, was Theia.

5. What type of organism make up stromatolites, which are the earliest evidence of life on earth?

a. Sulfur-producing bacteria b. Algae c. Fungi d. Cyanobacteria

Answer: d. Cyanobacteria made up stromatolites, which are the earliest evidence of life on earth. These were found in Greenland that dated back to 3.7 billion years ago.

6. What does the fossil record show of life in the Hadean period of earth’s existence?

a. There were no fossils during his period of time. b. Cyanobacteria existed in rock fossils. c. Algae existed in ocean fossils. d. Biofilms have been found in the fossil record.

Answer: a. There were no fossil records during this period of time but there has been graphite found to be imbedded in certain rocks, which indicate the possibility of life.

7. What is the theory of virus evolution that indicates that viruses were once small, cellular parasites that evolved into viral particles?

a. Escape theory b. Virus first theory c. Degeneracy theory d. Coevolution theory

Answer: c. The degeneracy theory is that viruses were once intracellular parasites that evolved into virus particles, which would be somewhat of a de-evolutionary process.

8. What is not true of virus mutations?

a. RNA viruses mutate faster than DNA viruses. b. Antigenic drift happens when mutations accrue over time. c. Genetic shift happens when viruses shuffle their genes. d. Viruses can mutate but do not infect more than one species.

Answer: d. Viruses can mutate so that they can infect more than one species of organism. Each of the other statements is true.

9. Which type of prokaryote is known for its ability to survive in extreme temperatures?

a. Archaea b. Eubacteria c. Cyanobacteria d. Intracellular bacteria

Answer: a. Archaea are especially known for their ability to survive in extreme environments of all types, including extremes of pH and temperature extremes.

10. What is not a function of the eukaryotic cell’s cytoskeleton?

a. Movement b. Preventing cell desiccation c. Organizing organelles d. Maintaining cell structures

Answer: b. The cytoskeleton does each of these things but it does not involve itself in cell desiccation protection.