Biological Evolution and Biodiversity Quiz

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Questions and Answers

How did the levels of oxygen in the atmosphere change over immense stretches of time?

They steadily grew. (correct)

They steadily decreased.

They fluctuated dramatically.

They remained constant.

What major event occurred around 700 million years ago?

Bacteria dominated the planet.

The first complex life forms evolved. (correct)

Oxygen levels in the atmosphere peaked.

Dinosaurs went extinct.

What does the extraordinary diversity of life on earth primarily reflect?

The relationships between organisms and their environment. (correct)

The extinction of many species over time.

Random mutations throughout history.

The dominance of plants in every ecosystem.

Which kingdom is considered the first and most primitive in the classification of life on earth?

Bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest level of the hierarchical classification system for living organisms?

Kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the two-word naming system used for organisms?

To identify the genus and specific epithet. Signup and view all the answers

In which environments have life forms adapted to thrive according to the provided content?

In every conceivable habitat on earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way organisms become more suited to their environment?

By engaging in continual processes of adaptation and change. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the bladder polyp in the Portuguese man-of-war?

To produce gas for buoyancy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of polyp is responsible for catching food in the Portuguese man-of-war colony?

Feeder Signup and view all the answers

What role do the dactylozooids play in the Portuguese man-of-war's hunting process?

They contain stinging structures to capture prey. Signup and view all the answers

Which oceanic regions are the Portuguese man-of-war commonly found?

In many parts of the oceans including the coasts of Europe and North America Signup and view all the answers

What component of the Portuguese man-of-war's bladder helps it move with ocean currents?

The gas-filled bladder itself Signup and view all the answers

What type of polyp is the gastrozooid in the Portuguese man-of-war colony responsible for?

Digestion of captured prey Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific name of the Portuguese man-of-war?

Physalia physalis Signup and view all the answers

Which polyp in the colony of the Portuguese man-of-war is primarily responsible for reproduction?

Gonozooid Signup and view all the answers

What ecological role does iron play in the Southern Ocean?

It stimulates the blooming of diatom populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way krill species, such as Euphausia superba, respond to scarce food?

They can grow smaller at each successive molt. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the skin shed by Antarctic krill?

It floats in the water and may confuse predators. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about aphids is true?

Aphids can vary in size from 1 to 10 mm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the thin turrets found on the back end of aphids?

To secrete a waxy substance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main dietary impact of injecting iron into the Southern Ocean?

It improves the growth of diatom populations. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Antarctic krill contribute to the ocean's carbon cycle?

By stimulating diatom populations that sequester carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the mouthparts of aphids?

They are formed into a long, thin structure called the rostrum. Signup and view all the answers

What is a proper treatment for a sting from the Portuguese man-of-war?

Apply an ice-pack to the affected area Signup and view all the answers

Which cnidarian is considered the most dangerous?

Box jellyfish (sea wasp) Signup and view all the answers

How does the clown fish interact with the Portuguese man-of-war?

It swims among the tentacles without harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that jellyfish have lethal toxins?

To paralyze prey since they lack limbs. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a serious consequence of a sting from the box jellyfish?

Death occurring 3-20 minutes after stinging Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about jellyfish stings is highlighted in the information provided?

Vinegar is a universal remedy for all stings. Signup and view all the answers

Which group of individuals is at the highest risk of fatal outcomes from stings?

Young children Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following creatures is NOT mentioned as having a relationship with the Portuguese man-of-war?

Angelfish Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific classification order of stony corals?

Scleratinia Signup and view all the answers

What type of environmental conditions do stony corals prefer?

Hot, shallow tropical waters Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structure that corals create for their habitat?

Calcium carbonate formations Signup and view all the answers

How do coral polyps primarily capture their food?

Using mucus to trap prey Signup and view all the answers

What is the size range of the coral polyp?

1–3 mm Signup and view all the answers

Which symbiotic relationship benefits coral polyps?

With single-celled algae Signup and view all the answers

What feature helps coral polyps capture small prey?

Feeding tentacles Signup and view all the answers

What material forms the structure that corals create in marine environments?

Calcium carbonate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Atmospheric Oxygen and Life's Explosion

Atmospheric oxygen levels increased steadily over vast timescales, eventually becoming abundant.
Around 700 million years ago, simple life forms gave rise to increasingly complex organisms.
This led to a dramatic increase in the diversity of life on Earth, with many new life forms and body plans emerging.
Some life forms thrived and produced long lineages, while others disappeared.
Life forms interacted and adapted to each other, creating intricate webs of interactions.

Biodiversity and Environmental Adaptation

The current extraordinary diversity of life reflects the relationship between organisms and their environment.
This is driven by continuous adaptation and change, finely tuning each species to its environment.
Life forms occupy almost every conceivable habitat on Earth, even the most extreme environments like deep oceans and high altitudes.
Many creatures have adapted to parasitic lifestyles.

Biological Classification

Traditionally, life on Earth is classified into five kingdoms based on shared characteristics.
This hierarchical system uses categories: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
Organisms are named using a two-word system: genus and specific epithet (e.g., Apis mellifera).
The five kingdoms are bacteria, plants, fungi, animals, and (implicitly) protists.

Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba)

Around 100,000 tonnes of Antarctic krill are harvested annually.
Krill are absent from areas lacking iron, which is essential for plant-like organisms they feed on.
Iron fertilization of the Southern Ocean has been proposed to increase krill populations and carbon dioxide sequestration.
Krill shed their skin regularly, sometimes shrinking if food is scarce. They may use shed skin as a decoy.
Processed krill is known as okiami in Japan.

Aphids

Scientific name: Aphids (Aphididae)
Classification: Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Homoptera, Family Aphididae
Small insects (1-10 mm) with soft bodies and long legs.
Possess thin turrets on their backs that secrete a waxy substance.
Exist in winged and wingless forms.

Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia physalis)

Scientific name: Physalia physalis
Classification: Phylum Cnidaria, Class Hydrozoa, Order Siphonophora, Family Physaliidae
Not a single animal, but a colony of four types of polyps (zooids).
Possesses a large, gas-filled bladder (up to 30cm long) for buoyancy, filled mainly with carbon monoxide.
Uses tentacles armed with nematocysts to capture prey.
Sting can be extremely painful and potentially fatal. Should not be treated with vinegar.

Stony Corals (Scleractinia)

Scientific name: Scleractinia
Classification: Phylum Cnidaria, Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia
Wide variety of forms: branching, mound-like, flat, etc.
Individual polyps are small (1-3 mm) anemone-like creatures.
Mostly found in warm, shallow tropical and subtropical waters, especially the Indo-Pacific region.
Polyps build calcium carbonate structures.
Polyps are predatory, using stinging cells and mucus to capture prey.
Many corals have a symbiotic relationship with algae, receiving nutrients from photosynthesis.

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Description

Test your understanding of the evolution of life on Earth, focusing on the increase of atmospheric oxygen and its impact on biodiversity. Explore how life forms have adapted to various environments and the intricate relationships that define ecosystems. This quiz covers key concepts related to biological evolution and environmental adaptations.