History of Life on Earth and Characteristics of Organisms Quiz

Study Notes

Animals evolved from prokaryotic organisms around 2.5-1 billion years ago.
Modern animals evolved from various lineages of simplistic aquatic species.
Oldest known animal ancestors were metazoans, shape similar to worms.
Ediacaran animals emerged, jellyfish-like with tougher outer walls.
Cambrian period saw the emergence of most modern animal groups.
Fish evolution led to the transition of animals from water to land with the emergence of amphibians.
Mammal-like reptiles emerged around the same time as dinosaurs.
Removal of dinosaurs allowed for the flourishing of various animal groups, such as mammals and vertebrates.
Vertebrates have a spinal column and notochord.
Invertebrates, which make up most animal species, have no backbone.
Invertebrates evolved during Earth's first era, they are simpler or more complex, with no appendages or specialized organs.
During invertebrate evolution, species became more specialized, tissues became more complex.
Cephalization is a change where a head is formed, allowing for the development of a brain and senses.
Bilateral and radial symmetry arose, allowing for specific bodily functions and purposes.
Invertebrates include jellyfish, butterflies, snails, starfish, and sponges.
Vertebrates include less than 5% of all animal species and stem from a common jawless fish ancestor.
Amphibians bridged the gap between fish and land animals.
Reptiles, birds, and mammals evolved from amphibians.
Animal cells use mitochondria for energy production through aerobic respiration.
Mitochondria evolved from single-celled bacteria.
Chloroplasts allow plant cells to produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Plant cells have cell walls and large vacuoles for storing water.
Animal reproduction can be sexual or asexual.
Asexual reproduction requires only one parent and can happen in various ways.
Sexual reproduction requires gametes from two separate parents through eggs and sperm and usually involves flagella or tails.
Evolution is the change in a species' characteristics over several generations and can be caused by mutation, migration, natural selection, genetic drift, and non-random mating.
Cells are the foundation of all life and are either prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
The five kingdoms of life are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
Prokaryotic cells, which make up Monera, have no nucleus.
All other organisms are multi-cellular and make up the remaining four kingdoms.
Both plant and animal cells use mitochondria for energy production.

Description

Test your knowledge about the history of life on Earth and characteristics of organisms with this quiz. Learn about the beginning of life on Earth, the evolution of single-celled organisms, and the characteristics of animals.