Life Has A History Quiz!

1. Millions of years passed between the extinction of dinosaurs and the appearance of the first humans.

True

False

The statement is true because the extinction of dinosaurs occurred around 65 million years ago, while the appearance of the first humans, specifically Homo sapiens, happened only around 200,000 years ago. This vast time gap of millions of years supports the accuracy of the statement.

Explanation

The statement is true because the extinction of dinosaurs occurred around 65 million years ago, while the appearance of the first humans, specifically Homo sapiens, happened only around 200,000 years ago. This vast time gap of millions of years supports the accuracy of the statement.

2. Extinction is common.

True

False

Extinction is a common occurrence in the natural world. Over the course of Earth's history, countless species have gone extinct due to various factors such as natural disasters, changes in climate, competition for resources, and human activities. Extinction is a natural part of the process of evolution, as new species arise and others disappear. Therefore, it can be concluded that extinction is indeed common.

Explanation

Extinction is a common occurrence in the natural world. Over the course of Earth's history, countless species have gone extinct due to various factors such as natural disasters, changes in climate, competition for resources, and human activities. Extinction is a natural part of the process of evolution, as new species arise and others disappear. Therefore, it can be concluded that extinction is indeed common.

3. A cladogram is a diagram that shows how a group of organisms might be related to each other.

True

False

A cladogram is indeed a diagram that illustrates the relationships between different organisms. It represents the evolutionary history and common ancestry of a group of organisms by showing their shared characteristics and branching patterns. By examining the similarities and differences between species, scientists can construct cladograms to understand the evolutionary relationships and genetic connections between organisms.

Explanation

A cladogram is indeed a diagram that illustrates the relationships between different organisms. It represents the evolutionary history and common ancestry of a group of organisms by showing their shared characteristics and branching patterns. By examining the similarities and differences between species, scientists can construct cladograms to understand the evolutionary relationships and genetic connections between organisms.

4. Without variation, evolution cannot happen.

True

False

This statement is true because variation is a key factor in the process of evolution. Without variation in traits within a population, there would be no genetic diversity for natural selection to act upon. Variation allows for the occurrence of beneficial traits that can increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction, leading to the passing on of those traits to future generations. Without this variation, there would be no mechanism for species to adapt and change over time, and therefore, evolution would not occur.

Explanation

This statement is true because variation is a key factor in the process of evolution. Without variation in traits within a population, there would be no genetic diversity for natural selection to act upon. Variation allows for the occurrence of beneficial traits that can increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction, leading to the passing on of those traits to future generations. Without this variation, there would be no mechanism for species to adapt and change over time, and therefore, evolution would not occur.

5. There are more mammals on Earth today than any other group of animals.

True

False

Mammals are a diverse group of animals that have adapted to various habitats around the world. They include a wide range of species such as humans, dogs, cats, elephants, and whales. Mammals have successfully evolved and diversified over millions of years, leading to their dominance in terms of numbers. While there are certainly many other groups of animals on Earth, such as insects and birds, the statement is true because mammals currently have the highest number of species and individuals.

Explanation

Mammals are a diverse group of animals that have adapted to various habitats around the world. They include a wide range of species such as humans, dogs, cats, elephants, and whales. Mammals have successfully evolved and diversified over millions of years, leading to their dominance in terms of numbers. While there are certainly many other groups of animals on Earth, such as insects and birds, the statement is true because mammals currently have the highest number of species and individuals.

6. Natural selection is an important mechanism for evolution. If there is a change in the environment, which of the following statements is correct:

Individual organisms will evolve in order to survive and reproduce.

Those organisms that have features that can take advantage of the environmental change will survive and reproduce.

Those organisms that are the strongest will survive and reproduce.

Natural selection is a process in which individuals with advantageous traits that allow them to better adapt to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to the passing on of these beneficial traits to future generations, resulting in evolutionary change. Therefore, the correct statement is that those organisms that have features that can take advantage of the environmental change will survive and reproduce.

Explanation

Natural selection is a process in which individuals with advantageous traits that allow them to better adapt to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to the passing on of these beneficial traits to future generations, resulting in evolutionary change. Therefore, the correct statement is that those organisms that have features that can take advantage of the environmental change will survive and reproduce.

7. Of all the species that have ever lived on this planet, how many have gone extinct?

More than 90%

60-80%

30-60%

10-30%

More than 90% of the species that have ever lived on this planet have gone extinct. This means that the majority of the species that have existed throughout history are no longer present today. Extinction is a natural process that has occurred throughout the Earth's history, with various factors such as environmental changes, competition, and natural disasters contributing to the disappearance of species over time. The high percentage of extinctions highlights the dynamic nature of life on Earth and the constant evolution and adaptation of species.

Explanation

More than 90% of the species that have ever lived on this planet have gone extinct. This means that the majority of the species that have existed throughout history are no longer present today. Extinction is a natural process that has occurred throughout the Earth's history, with various factors such as environmental changes, competition, and natural disasters contributing to the disappearance of species over time. The high percentage of extinctions highlights the dynamic nature of life on Earth and the constant evolution and adaptation of species.