Evolution Unit 1: From Stars to Life

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Questions and Answers

What is an example of an emergent property mentioned in the text?

Wetness (correct)

Photosynthesis

Stromatolites

Viruses

Which of the following is NOT a reason why viruses are considered non-living?

They are made from simpler components like protein and nucleic acid.

They are able to evolve quickly. (correct)

They require a host cell to reproduce.

They cannot metabolize food.

Which of the following events occurred during the Archean Eon?

The Great Oxidation Event.

Formation of the Earth's layers through differentiation.

Formation of stromatolites. (correct)

The emergence of photosynthesis. (correct)

What is the main idea behind the concept of 'more is different'?

The properties of a system cannot be predicted from the properties of its individual parts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The text provides examples of 'order through chaos'. Which of the following is NOT an example of this?

The differentiation of Earth into layers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the iron barrier in a supernova?

It represents the final stage of a star's fusion process, where all elements heavier than iron cannot be created. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of RNA in the context provided?

RNA plays a key role in gene expression, switching genes on or off, and can also store genetic information. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Miller-Urey experiment demonstrate?

It demonstrated the possibility of abiogenesis by mimicking the early Earth's atmosphere and generating organic molecules. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the 2010 creation of mycoplasma from a naturally occurring one?

The scientists incorporated a synthetic genome and a bacterial cell membrane into the mycoplasma. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do RNA molecules’ shape determine their function?

The shape of RNA dictates the way it interacts with other molecules, influencing its activity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary process is demonstrated by the example of Gardner snakes and newts?

Natural selection (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of sexual selection?

The random elimination of a portion of a population (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it significant that females mating with males with larger fans produce offspring that last longer?

It implies that larger fans are a sign of better nutrition and therefore better genes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best example of the founder effect?

A population of rabbits introduced to an island, with most being brown, but a few being white. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of 'bottlenecking' in evolution?

The rapid decrease in a population's genetic diversity due to a random event. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement "A particular species always gives birth to the same species" suggest about the concept of species?

Species are defined by their ability to reproduce with each other. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best explains the significance of the differences in males and females within a species, as highlighted in the text?

Males and females have different reproductive strategies, leading to sexual selection and distinct traits. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the best explanation for the large number of crab eggs released into the sea?

The crabs are trying to increase their chances of survival by producing as many offspring as possible. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of multiple alleles contribute to the diversity of traits in a species?

Multiple alleles allow for different combinations of genes to be expressed, creating a wider range of phenotypes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what is the primary reason for the evolutionary divergence of Galapagos finches?

The finches were isolated on different islands, leading to the development of separate gene pools. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism that contributes to the evolution of the Galapagos finches?

Gene flow between different finch populations on different islands. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the co-evolution of moths and bats demonstrate about the evolutionary process?

Organisms can evolve in response to changes in their environment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of the statement 'each newt contains enough poison to kill 20,000 mice or a bunch of ppl'?

The newt's poison is a powerful defense mechanism that helps it avoid predators. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the most plausible explanation for the statement 'maybe it wasn't an explosion but a gradual pickup' ?

Evolutionary changes can occur gradually and often without a clear starting point. (A) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Unit 1: Evolution

Formation of Elements in Stars:
- Stars fuse hydrogen, helium, carbon, and other elements through fusion.
- Iron is the endpoint of nuclear fusion.
- Supernovae release energy to create elements beyond iron.
Stanley Miller's Forgotten Experiments, Analyzed:
- 1953 experiment simulated early Earth's atmosphere.
- Spark (lightning) and water (oceans) created amino acids.
RNA Enigma: Grand Challenge:
- RNA is a single-stranded molecule (nucleotide).
- RNA can switch genes on and off.
Permeability of the Membrane:
- RNA can pass through fatty acid membranes.
- Fatty acids carry RNA into the membrane.
Creating Artificial Life:
- 2010 scientists created mycoplasma (cell) with 1,000,000 base pairs of DNA.
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS):
- Sent data every two weeks (10 billion pixels).
- Star's brightness change can indicate exoplanets.
Life on Other Planets:
- Comets may have delivered life's building blocks to Earth.
- Possibility of life on Ganymede (Jupiter's moon) due to its oceans.
Emergence:
- Complex systems arise from simple interactions and rules.
Are Viruses Alive?:
- Viruses don't need food or metabolize. They need a host.
- Viruses are simpler and evolve quickly.
What Earth's Early:
- Earth differentiated into layers (core, mantle, crust) billions of years ago.
- The Hadean, Archean, and Phanerozoic eons.
- Great Oxidation Event (2.8 billion years ago).
Endosymbiotic Theory:
- Pro and eukaryotic cells - Differences in the structure.
- Scientific basis and evidence - Testable.
- Mitochondria and chloroplasts (similar size and reproduction bacteria).
Photosynthesis:
- Formula for photosynthesis is:
- Solar energy + 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Snowball Earth:
- Ice age that covered Earth due to the decrease of green house gases.
Cambrian Explosion:
- Increased oxygen levels enabled larger animals.
Finding Tiktaalik: Neil Shubin:
- Fossil discovery (transitional species).
- Connection between fish and land animals.
Overproduction of Offspring - Crabs:
- Crabs produce numerous eggs.
Mechanisms of Natural Selection:
- Traits passed down based on reproduction or survival.
Galapagos Finch Evolution:
- Different Finch species on islands.
- Example of natural selection (beak shape to type of food).
Founder Effect, Bottle Necking, and Genetic Drift:
- Small populations can lose genetic variety due to Random events.
Evolution in Action: Ring Species:
- Species that live in a geographic ring rather than a linear range. They are connected by interbreeding in a region.
How Many Mass Extinctions Have There Been?:
- Eight major mass extinctions identified in the fossil record.
Homologous Structures vs Analogous Structures:
- Homologous structures share similarity based on origin.
- Analogous structures have similar function but different origins.
Human Evolution:
- Timeline of human ancestors (Homo habilis, Australopithecus afarensis, Homo neanderthalensis, etc.).
Facts about Human Evolution:
- Bipedalism, tools, care for the sick/dead.

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Description

This quiz covers key topics in Unit 1 of Evolution, exploring the formation of elements in stars, the significance of Stanley Miller's experiments, and the complexity of RNA in life processes. It also delves into advancements in artificial life and the search for life on other planets through missions like TESS.