Early Earth Biology

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

What was the product of the Miller-Urey Experiment?

• Simple amino acids

• Simple nucleotides

• Simple lipids

• Simple monosaccarides

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NGSS.HS-LS1-6

By discharging electric sparks into a laboratory chamber atmosphere that consisted of water vapor, hydrogen gas, methane, and ammonia, Stanley Miller obtained data that showed that a number of organic molecules, including many amino acids, could be synthesized. Miller was attempting to model early Earth conditions as understood in the 1950s. The results of Miller’s experiments best support which of the following hypotheses?

• The molecules essential to life today did not exist at the time Earth was first formed.

• The molecules essential to life today could not have been carried to the primordial Earth by a comet or meteorite.

• The molecules essential to life today could have formed under early Earth conditions.

• The molecules essential to life today were initially self-replicating proteins that were synthesized approximately four billion years ago.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-6

Which of the following would NOT be a reason why scientists think life didn't start on land?

• The first crust was covered in glaciers

• The atmosphere was filled with harmful chemicals

• The ultraviolet radiation would destroy organic compounds

• The chemicals necessary for life are plentiful in certain parts of the ocean

A group of scientists have set up an experiment simulating the conditions of early Earth. This experiment produced a cell with DNA that used RNA to synthesize proteins from amino acids just like modern cells do. What conclusion could they draw from this experiment?

• Under the conditions of the experiment, it is possible to create cells similar to modern cells.

• Modern cells developed from inorganic compounds in the conditions that existed on early Earth.

• The conditions of their experiment exactly replicated the conditions found on early Earth.

• The way modern cells function is the only way a cell could be constructed and survive.

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NGSS.HS-LS4-2

The theory that the first cells came from non-living matter (in the right conditions) is

• Abiogenesis

• Cell theory

• Endosymbiosis

The first living organism on the planet was what type of organism?

• Plants

• Fish

• Archaea

• Mold / Fungi