Chapter 5 Online Study Guide

2.

Approximately how old is the Earth?

12,000 years old
1 million years old
2.7 billion years old
4.7 billion years old

Correct Answer

A. 4.7 billion years old

Explanation

The age of the Earth is estimated to be approximately 4.7 billion years old. This estimation is based on various scientific methods, such as radiometric dating of rocks and minerals, which provide evidence for the age of the Earth. These methods involve measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks and minerals to determine their age. Through these techniques, scientists have established that the Earth formed around 4.6 billion years ago, and since then, it has undergone various geological processes and changes. Therefore, the correct answer is 4.7 billion years old.

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3.

Look at the figure on page 105. How much time before midnight did our species evolve?

5 minutes before midnight
10 minutes
6 hours
2 seconds

Correct Answer

A. 2 seconds

Explanation

The answer "2 seconds" suggests that our species evolved very close to midnight, indicating that the evolution of our species occurred relatively recently in the grand scheme of time. This implies that the development of humans as a species is a relatively recent event in the timeline of Earth's existence.

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4.

Read the spotlight on page 106. Write a short synopsis, explaining how life evolved on planet earth. Be sure to include when cyanobacteria appeared (and their significance), when the first eukaryotic cells emerged and how our ozone layer was created. This should be at least 2 paragraphs. If you don't complete this question you will recieve a zero for the study guide.

5.

Which organism is credited with creating an oxygenated atmosphere?

Paramecium
Apomixis
Escheria
Cyanobacteria

Correct Answer

A. Cyanobacteria

Explanation

Cyanobacteria is credited with creating an oxygenated atmosphere. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that were one of the first organisms to evolve the ability to produce oxygen through photosynthesis. They played a crucial role in the history of the Earth by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere, which eventually led to the development of an oxygen-rich atmosphere that allowed for the evolution of more complex life forms.

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6.

If you flippeda coin 10 times and 7 of those it landed on heads you would think nothingof it. If you flipped a coin 1000 times and 700 times it landed on heads you would think something is wrong with the coin. Small populations may have a change in genetic composition simply by chance. What is the name of this phenomenon?

Mutation
Natural selection
Gene flow
Genetic drift

Correct Answer

A. Genetic drift

Explanation

Genetic drift is the name of the phenomenon described in the question. It refers to the random changes in the genetic composition of a small population due to chance events. In the example given, the difference in the number of heads in the coin flips is attributed to genetic drift because it is unlikely to occur by chance in a larger population. Genetic drift can have significant effects on the genetic makeup of a population over time, especially in small populations where chance events can have a greater impact.

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7.

The peppered moth example is the most commonly cited exampleof evolution by natural selection.In the spotlight on page 108 is another example of evolution - our artificial selection to create dogs. Briefly describe the example of the peppered moth below. If you do not answer this question you will recieve a zero for the study guide. This should be a full paragraph.

8.

There are three types of natural selection. Which type tends toeliminate individuals on both ends of the genetic spectrum and favor individuals with an average genetic makeup?

Directional natural selection
Stabilizing natural selection
Diversifying natural selection
Disruptive natural selection

Correct Answer

A. Stabilizing natural selection

Explanation

Stabilizing natural selection is the type that tends to eliminate individuals on both ends of the genetic spectrum and favor individuals with an average genetic makeup. This type of selection occurs when the environment favors individuals with intermediate traits, leading to a reduction in the extremes of the trait distribution. As a result, individuals with extreme or unusual traits are less likely to survive and reproduce, while individuals with average traits have a higher fitness and are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation.

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9.

A species' ____________________ niche is the full potential range of physical, chemical and biological conditions and resources it could theoretically use if there were no direct competition from other species.

Fundamental
Realized
Actual

Correct Answer

A. Fundamental

Explanation

A species' fundamental niche refers to the complete range of environmental conditions and available resources that it could potentially utilize if there were no other species competing for the same resources. This includes physical, chemical, and biological factors that could support the species' survival and reproduction. The fundamental niche represents the theoretical capabilities of a species in its habitat, without any limitations imposed by interspecific competition.

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10.

The period following a mass extinction in which numerous new species have evolved over sevarl million years to fill new or vacated ecological rolesor niches in changed environments.

Background extinction
Allopatric speciation
Sympatric speciation
Adaptive radiation

Correct Answer

A. Adaptive radiation

Explanation

Adaptive radiation refers to the period following a mass extinction where numerous new species evolve over several million years to fill new or vacated ecological roles or niches in changed environments. This process occurs when a few surviving species rapidly diversify and adapt to exploit available resources and habitats. It results in the emergence of a wide range of new species with different characteristics and adaptations, allowing them to occupy various ecological niches. This phenomenon is driven by natural selection and can lead to the formation of diverse and specialized species communities.

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Chapter 5 Online Study Guide

What temperature does water boil at?

Quiz Preview

Approximately how old is the Earth?

Look at the figure on page 105. How much time before midnight did our species evolve?

Which organism is credited with creating an oxygenated atmosphere?

There are three types of natural selection. Which type tends toeliminate individuals on both ends of the genetic spectrum and favor individuals with an average genetic makeup?

A species' ____________________ niche is the full potential range of physical, chemical and biological conditions and resources it could theoretically use if there were no direct competition from other species.

The period following a mass extinction in which numerous new species have evolved over sevarl million years to fill new or vacated ecological rolesor niches in changed environments.