Brooks Biodiversity Unit 1 Exam
Questions and Answers (RATED A)
evolution - ANSWER_the concept that all given organisms are related to each other
though common ancestry
Have scientists proven that life exists? - ANSWER_No
Big Bang - ANSWER_Theory of how the universe formed 16-18 billion years ago
Symbiosis - ANSWER_the interaction between two different organisms living in close
association
"life coming together"
Spontaneous Generation - ANSWER_Theory that life arose spontaneously from
inanimate matter. Not a widely held belief among scientists
Biogenesis Hypothesis - ANSWER_Theory that living matter created by pre-existing
living matter
Haldane-Oparin Hypothesis - ANSWER_"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 - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_(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 - ANSWER_Hypothesized that the first organisms were
heterotrophs because they consumed the abundant food molecules present in the
atmosphere
The Cell - ANSWER_the basic form of an entity
The Cell Theory - ANSWER_every life form (from bacteria to humans) is made up
of/comes from cells
Steps of the development of cells - ANSWER_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? - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_Cells without membrane bound nucleus or organelles. Pro- =
Before, -Kary = Nucleus
Eukaryote - ANSWER_Cells with a true membrane bound nucleus. Eu- = true, -Kary
= Nucleus
Heterotroph - ANSWER_Organisms that are nourished from outside sources.
Hetero- = different, -Troph = nourishment
Autotroph - ANSWER_Organisms that produce their own nourishment/food. Ex:
photosynthesis.
Auto- self, -Troph = nourishment
How old is the Earth? - ANSWER_About 4.5 billion years old
How long did it take for Earth to cool? - ANSWER_600 million years for the
atmosphere to cool down.
Questions and Answers (RATED A)
evolution - ANSWER_the concept that all given organisms are related to each other
though common ancestry
Have scientists proven that life exists? - ANSWER_No
Big Bang - ANSWER_Theory of how the universe formed 16-18 billion years ago
Symbiosis - ANSWER_the interaction between two different organisms living in close
association
"life coming together"
Spontaneous Generation - ANSWER_Theory that life arose spontaneously from
inanimate matter. Not a widely held belief among scientists
Biogenesis Hypothesis - ANSWER_Theory that living matter created by pre-existing
living matter
Haldane-Oparin Hypothesis - ANSWER_"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 - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_(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 - ANSWER_Hypothesized that the first organisms were
heterotrophs because they consumed the abundant food molecules present in the
atmosphere
The Cell - ANSWER_the basic form of an entity
The Cell Theory - ANSWER_every life form (from bacteria to humans) is made up
of/comes from cells
Steps of the development of cells - ANSWER_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? - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_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 - ANSWER_Cells without membrane bound nucleus or organelles. Pro- =
Before, -Kary = Nucleus
Eukaryote - ANSWER_Cells with a true membrane bound nucleus. Eu- = true, -Kary
= Nucleus
Heterotroph - ANSWER_Organisms that are nourished from outside sources.
Hetero- = different, -Troph = nourishment
Autotroph - ANSWER_Organisms that produce their own nourishment/food. Ex:
photosynthesis.
Auto- self, -Troph = nourishment
How old is the Earth? - ANSWER_About 4.5 billion years old
How long did it take for Earth to cool? - ANSWER_600 million years for the
atmosphere to cool down.
