Brooks Biodiversity Unit 1 Exam Questions
& Correct Answers 2024 Solved 100%.
evolution
the concept that all given organisms are related to each other though common ancestry
Have scientists proven that life exists?
No
Big Bang
Theory of how the universe formed 16-18 billion years ago
Symbiosis
the interaction between two different organisms living in close association
"life coming together"
Spontaneous Generation
Theory that life arose spontaneously from inanimate matter. Not a widely held belief
among scientists
Biogenesis Hypothesis
Theory that living matter created by pre-existing living matter
Haldane-Oparin Hypothesis
"Chemical Evolution"
Life arose spontaneously from early atmospheric compounds. It was believed that the
early atmosphere contained methane, ammonia, and water. When combined with
energy sources, life arose. This is the original theory of how life arose, but is likely
INCORRECT.
Miller-Urey Experiment
Tested the Haldane-Oparin Hypothesis by conducting an experiment that simulated the
conditions thought at the time to be present on earth, and tested for the occurrence of
chemical origins of life. They took inorganic compounds and made organic compounds
(mostly amino acids). DID NOT PROVE ANYTHING
Panspermia
Hypothesis that organic molecules were brought to earth by meteorites/asteroids.
Basically, life was seeded from outer space, and that life exists throughout the universe
distributed by meteoroids, asteroids, comets, and planetoids.
Modern Theory of How Life Arose
(STILL NOT PROVEN, ONLY LIKELY) life arose spontaneously from simple molecules
(CO, CO2, N2,H2 (very little because it was in little abundance), and H2O), then
combined into larger, complex macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids,
and nucleic acids. (NOT from methane, ammonia, and water as Haldane-Oparin
hypothesized)
Primordial Soup Hypothesis
Hypothesized that the first organisms were heterotrophs because they consumed the
abundant food molecules present in the atmosphere
The Cell
the basic form of an entity
The Cell Theory
, every life form (from bacteria to humans) is made up of/comes from cells
Steps of the development of cells
1. Spontaneous formation of simple molecules (Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and
nucleic acids)
2. Formation of lipid bilayer, polymers, and Protien-RNA systems.
3. Lipid Bilayer forms selectively permeable barrier that contains an enclosed self-
replicating system. Closed system contains DNA, RNA, proteins, and enzymes. (VERY
IMPORTANT!)
4. Abiotic (derived from non-living things) formation of protobiont (initial structures
during the origin of life which can show at least one propery of life) using self-replicating
molecules
5. Composition of anaerobic prokayotic cells, then followed by aerobic and
photosynthetic prokaryotic cells
6. Single celled eukaryotic cells form and then evolve into multicellular organisms
DNA vs RNA. Which came first?
Scientists believe RNA was first genetic material because RNA can also form ribozymes
which catalyze reactions
Unresolved Problems of the Modern Theory of How Life Arose
1. Formation of large, complex organic molecules via dehydration or condensation
bonds in an aquatic environment is a problem because of the concept of hydrolysis.
Water actually breaks most things down. Since all life was originally in water, it would be
hard to synthesize life.
2. Formation of the "self-replicating" system. Non-living organisms can't reproduce
abiotically, which is obviously a large factor in the growth of life.
Prokaryote
Cells without membrane bound nucleus or organelles. Pro- = Before, -Kary = Nucleus
Eukaryote
Cells with a true membrane bound nucleus. Eu- = true, -Kary = Nucleus
Heterotroph
Organisms that are nourished from outside sources. Hetero- = different, -Troph =
nourishment
Autotroph
Organisms that produce their own nourishment/food. Ex: photosynthesis.
Auto- self, -Troph = nourishment
How old is the Earth?
About 4.5 billion years old
How long did it take for Earth to cool?
600 million years for the atmosphere to cool down.
How old is the oldest fossil?
3.7-3.8 billion years old. (stromatolite fossil)
First-living organism speculated by scientists
Prokayotic Heterotrophic anaerobes. Although the oldest fossils found is only 3.5 billion
years old, they still believe heterotrophic organisms evolved before autotrophic. The
reason being that there were plenty of macromolecules in the atmosphere present at
that time
Obligate Anaerobic
& Correct Answers 2024 Solved 100%.
evolution
the concept that all given organisms are related to each other though common ancestry
Have scientists proven that life exists?
No
Big Bang
Theory of how the universe formed 16-18 billion years ago
Symbiosis
the interaction between two different organisms living in close association
"life coming together"
Spontaneous Generation
Theory that life arose spontaneously from inanimate matter. Not a widely held belief
among scientists
Biogenesis Hypothesis
Theory that living matter created by pre-existing living matter
Haldane-Oparin Hypothesis
"Chemical Evolution"
Life arose spontaneously from early atmospheric compounds. It was believed that the
early atmosphere contained methane, ammonia, and water. When combined with
energy sources, life arose. This is the original theory of how life arose, but is likely
INCORRECT.
Miller-Urey Experiment
Tested the Haldane-Oparin Hypothesis by conducting an experiment that simulated the
conditions thought at the time to be present on earth, and tested for the occurrence of
chemical origins of life. They took inorganic compounds and made organic compounds
(mostly amino acids). DID NOT PROVE ANYTHING
Panspermia
Hypothesis that organic molecules were brought to earth by meteorites/asteroids.
Basically, life was seeded from outer space, and that life exists throughout the universe
distributed by meteoroids, asteroids, comets, and planetoids.
Modern Theory of How Life Arose
(STILL NOT PROVEN, ONLY LIKELY) life arose spontaneously from simple molecules
(CO, CO2, N2,H2 (very little because it was in little abundance), and H2O), then
combined into larger, complex macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids,
and nucleic acids. (NOT from methane, ammonia, and water as Haldane-Oparin
hypothesized)
Primordial Soup Hypothesis
Hypothesized that the first organisms were heterotrophs because they consumed the
abundant food molecules present in the atmosphere
The Cell
the basic form of an entity
The Cell Theory
, every life form (from bacteria to humans) is made up of/comes from cells
Steps of the development of cells
1. Spontaneous formation of simple molecules (Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and
nucleic acids)
2. Formation of lipid bilayer, polymers, and Protien-RNA systems.
3. Lipid Bilayer forms selectively permeable barrier that contains an enclosed self-
replicating system. Closed system contains DNA, RNA, proteins, and enzymes. (VERY
IMPORTANT!)
4. Abiotic (derived from non-living things) formation of protobiont (initial structures
during the origin of life which can show at least one propery of life) using self-replicating
molecules
5. Composition of anaerobic prokayotic cells, then followed by aerobic and
photosynthetic prokaryotic cells
6. Single celled eukaryotic cells form and then evolve into multicellular organisms
DNA vs RNA. Which came first?
Scientists believe RNA was first genetic material because RNA can also form ribozymes
which catalyze reactions
Unresolved Problems of the Modern Theory of How Life Arose
1. Formation of large, complex organic molecules via dehydration or condensation
bonds in an aquatic environment is a problem because of the concept of hydrolysis.
Water actually breaks most things down. Since all life was originally in water, it would be
hard to synthesize life.
2. Formation of the "self-replicating" system. Non-living organisms can't reproduce
abiotically, which is obviously a large factor in the growth of life.
Prokaryote
Cells without membrane bound nucleus or organelles. Pro- = Before, -Kary = Nucleus
Eukaryote
Cells with a true membrane bound nucleus. Eu- = true, -Kary = Nucleus
Heterotroph
Organisms that are nourished from outside sources. Hetero- = different, -Troph =
nourishment
Autotroph
Organisms that produce their own nourishment/food. Ex: photosynthesis.
Auto- self, -Troph = nourishment
How old is the Earth?
About 4.5 billion years old
How long did it take for Earth to cool?
600 million years for the atmosphere to cool down.
How old is the oldest fossil?
3.7-3.8 billion years old. (stromatolite fossil)
First-living organism speculated by scientists
Prokayotic Heterotrophic anaerobes. Although the oldest fossils found is only 3.5 billion
years old, they still believe heterotrophic organisms evolved before autotrophic. The
reason being that there were plenty of macromolecules in the atmosphere present at
that time
Obligate Anaerobic
