Early Earth Study Guide

According to scientists, the atmosphere of early Earth was unable to support organisms that perform aerobic respiration. Which best explains the reason for this?

• There was an absence of water.

• There was an absence of oxygen.

• The air was too dense to support life.

• The poisonous gases killed off all living organisms.

Which best explains why the first organisms on Earth were anaerobic?

• lack of water

• too much water

• too much oxygen

• lack of oxygen

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NGSS.HS-LS2-3

Scientists believe the atmosphere of early Earth was incapable of supporting aerobic organisms. Which best explains this belief?

• There was no water in the environment.

• Photosynthesis was occurring too slowly.

• Multicellular organisms used up the water.

• Free oxygen was missing from the environment.

The diagram below shows four fossils in different sedimentary rock layers.

Which statement concerning the evolution of this fish is most likely supported by the diagram?

• Fossil 1 is the oldest and most primitive fossil.

• Fossil 3 is older than fossil 4 but younger than fossil 1.

• Fossil 1 is the likely ancestor to fossils 2, 3, and 4 and is the most primitive fossil.

• Fossil 4 is the likely ancestor of fossils 1, 2, and 3 and is the most primitive fossil.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which is most likely the order of the origin of life on Earth?

• eukaryotes, invertebrates, prokaryotes, vertebrates, amphibians

• prokaryotes, amphibians, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals

• prokaryotes, eukaryotes, invertebrates, vertebrates, fishes

• amphibians, fish, reptiles, eukaryotes, vertebrates

Which two organelles found in eukaryotic cells indicate an endosymbiotic origin?

• mitochondria and chloroplasts

• nucleus and mitochondria

• chloroplasts and cell wall

• ribosomes and nucleus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What are fossils?

• preserved specimens found in meteorites

• remains of recently deceased organisms

• bones of animals that were buried under water long ago

• preserved or mineralized remains of species that lived long ago

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The ancient Greeks believed life was created from non-living objects. Louis Pasteur proved otherwise in 1864. Which theory explains Pasteur’s work?

• the Big Bang theory

• the theory of biogenesis

• the theory of abiogenesis

• the theory of natural selection

Which cellular organelle is thought to have evolved from a prokaryote that was able to use oxygen?

• chloroplast

• ribosome

• mitochondria

• nucleus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which statement provides evidence that mitochondria most likely evolved when a primitive eukaryotic cell engulfed a prokaryotic bacteria?

• Both mitochondria and bacteria have a circular DNA molecule.

• Both mitochondria and bacteria have the same type of ribosomes.

• Both mitochondria and bacteria have a double-membrane nucleus.

• Both mitochondria and bacteria have the same amount of cytoplasm.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2