Origins of life
What is the primary function of DNA as described in the notes?
to produce proteins
What specialized organelle evolved in early cells that contains chlorophyll?
chloroplasts
Which of these was one of the first simple compounds believed to have formed at the origin of life?
hydrogen gas
What type of mammal evolved after the dinosaur extinction, leading to upright walking?
primates
What type of creatures were the first mammals described as?
small rat-like creatures
What complex compounds were eventually made from the reactions on primitive Earth?
amino acids
Which of these is an example of an early invertebrate mentioned in the notes?
slugs
How did the meteorite impact affect sunlight reaching Earth?
it blocked sunlight
What was the final stage of evolution mentioned, leading to modern humans?
humanoids
What process uses carbon dioxide and produces oxygen, performed by early cells?
photosynthesis
When amino acids joined together, what building block for RNA and DNA did they create?
purine
What did the dinosaurs that survived the extinction event and evolved wings eventually become?
birds
What natural phenomenon on primitive Earth helped form new and more complex molecules by moving electrons?
lightning strikes
What event is believed to have caused the extinction of dinosaurs?
a meteorite impact
Which group of animals grew bigger over 50 million years, eventually leading to dinosaurs?
reptiles
What environmental factor led animals to evolve traits for living on land?
resource competition
How did early plants, before animals, transport their spores?
via wind and water
Approximately when did the first multicellular animals, like invertebrates, evolve?
600 million years ago
What key characteristic did early invertebrates lack?
a spinal column
What adaptation allowed amphibians to migrate further away from water?
ability to breathe oxygen
Which nucleic acid is described as self-replicating and came before DNA?
RNA
What was the primary method of reproduction for the first plants, such as moss?
asexual reproduction
What protective layer formed in the atmosphere from oxygen molecules?
ozone layer
What was the typical habitat of the first plants?
aquatic environments
Approximately how long ago did the first cell evolve?
3.5 billion years ago