Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Introduction; p. 2; easy; ans: c
The process of photosynthesis results in the formation of two substances essential to our existence:
a. chlorophyll and water.
b. electrons and protons.
c. sugar and oxygen.
d. sugar and water.
e. chlorophyll and oxygen.
2. Evolution of Plants; p. 3; moderate; ans: d
Life existed on Earth as early as ______ years ago.
a. 300 to 400 thousand
b. 3 to 4 million
c. 300 to 400 million
d. 3 to 4 billion
e. 300 to 400 billion
3. Evolution of Plants; p. 3; moderate; ans: c
Which of the following statements about stromatolites is FALSE?
, a. They contain layers of microorganisms.
b. They contain sediment.
c. They are fossil structures, with none alive today.
d. They can be formed by cyanobacteria.
e. They provide information about the earliest forms of life.
4. Evolution of Plants; p. 4; moderate; ans: e
On Mars, there is evidence for the presence of water in the form of______.
a. ice only.
b. liquid water only
c. snow only
d. ice and liquid water but not snow
e. ice, liquid water and snow
5. Evolution of Plants; p. 4; moderate; ans: a
Which of the following statements about proteinoid microspheres is FALSE?
a. They are thought to be the first forms of life.
b. They grow by the accumulation of additional proteinoid material.
c. They are cell-like structures.
d. They are assemblages of organic molecules.
e. They can be produced in the laboratory.
6. Evolution of Plants; p. 4; difficult; ans: b
Which of the following statements concerning primitive cells is FALSE?
, a. They used organic molecules to satisfy their energy requirements.
b. They constructed new cells from organic molecules made via photosynthesis.
c. They acquired the ability to grow.
d. They acquired the ability to reproduce.
e. They acquired the ability to pass on their characteristics to subsequent generations
7. Evolution of Plants; p. 4: easy; ans: c
A heterotroph:
a. is a “self-feeder.”
b. uses energy from the sun to make food.
c. is exemplified by a fungus.
d. makes its own energy-rich molecules from simple inorganic materials.
e. is exemplified by algae.
8. Evolution of Plants; pp. 4-5; moderate; ans: a
Which of the following statements about photosynthetic autotrophs is FALSE?
a. They obtain their required organic compounds from external sources.
b. They channel radiant energy into the biosphere.
c. The word autotroph means “self-feeder.”
d. They have a complex pigment system.
e. An example of an autotroph is a plant.
9. Evolution of Plants; p. 5; difficult; ans: e
, Which of the following statements concerning the earliest photosynthetic organisms is FALSE?
a. They were simple compared to plants.
b. They were more complex than primitive heterotrophs.
c. They had a complex pigment system.
d. They had a way of storing energy in an organic molecule.
e. They have been found in rocks 4 billion years old.
10. Evolution of Plants; p. 5; easy; ans: b
The oxygen gas released in photosynthesis originates from:
a. carbon dioxide.
b. water.
c. ozone.
d. sugar.
e. nitrates.
11. Evolution of Plants; p. 5; moderate; ans: b
Atmospheric levels of oxygen gas approached modern levels approximately ______ years ago.