Unit 7 Lesson 1: BioFlexBook Questions
(1) How have the origins of life on this planet historically been understood?
The origins of life on this planet have historically been understood through many methods. These methods include the fossil record, relative dating, absolute dating, molecular clocks and the geologic time scale. These methods, while each completely different in practice, achieve similar outcomes, offering insight into the origins of life on Earth.
(2) What were the conditions like on a primitive earth? What elements were present in abundance?
The conditions on primitive Earth were very hot. Water evaporated into the atmosphere. After Earth cooling, this water returned as rain, adding to the pools on Earth, which later formed the oceans and lakes. Elements that were present in abundance on primitive Earth were water, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen.
(3) As it pertains to the origin of life, what is the heterotrophic hypothesis?
The heterotrophic hypothesis is the proposal that the very first living organism that appeared on earth was a heterotroph. Moreover, it proposes that life could have originated from the formation of inorganic molecules.
(4) Was there molecular oxygen in the earth's primitive atmosphere? How has that molecule become abundant?
There was not molecular oxygen in the Earth’s primitive atmosphere. Oxygen was not available until after the origination of life on Earth. Life process such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration along with the presence of living organisms allowed for the production and existence of abundant oxygen.
(5) What are coacervates and what do they have to do with origin of life theories??
Coacervates are microscopic spontaneous formations of a collection of lipids held together. Alexander Oparin believed that coacervates in Earth’s primordial ocean engaged in a process that produced life.
The origins of life on this planet have historically been understood through many methods. These methods include the fossil record, relative dating, absolute dating, molecular clocks and the geologic time scale. These methods, while each completely different in practice, achieve similar outcomes, offering insight into the origins of life on Earth.
(2) What were the conditions like on a primitive earth? What elements were present in abundance?
The conditions on primitive Earth were very hot. Water evaporated into the atmosphere. After Earth cooling, this water returned as rain, adding to the pools on Earth, which later formed the oceans and lakes. Elements that were present in abundance on primitive Earth were water, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen.
(3) As it pertains to the origin of life, what is the heterotrophic hypothesis?
The heterotrophic hypothesis is the proposal that the very first living organism that appeared on earth was a heterotroph. Moreover, it proposes that life could have originated from the formation of inorganic molecules.
(4) Was there molecular oxygen in the earth's primitive atmosphere? How has that molecule become abundant?
There was not molecular oxygen in the Earth’s primitive atmosphere. Oxygen was not available until after the origination of life on Earth. Life process such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration along with the presence of living organisms allowed for the production and existence of abundant oxygen.
(5) What are coacervates and what do they have to do with origin of life theories??
Coacervates are microscopic spontaneous formations of a collection of lipids held together. Alexander Oparin believed that coacervates in Earth’s primordial ocean engaged in a process that produced life.
Unit 7 Lesson 3: Fossil Record Activity Poster
1. Give a brief description of the evolutionary changes that occurred in the organism.
Well each organism started out one way and turned out a bit different because two different organisms would combine to form a different type of organism which happens over and over again like a cycle.
2. During which time period did the fossils differentiate into two branches?
During the Nevadian time period.
3. Explain how the chart illustrates both punctuated equilibrium and gradualism. Use specific fossils from the chart to support your answer.
The upper Wyomington to the upper Montanian all have the same head shape which shows that throughout the time many aspects of the organism didn't change but other parts changed. The table shows gradualism when the body in the Texian starts to get wider and the heads start to increase size as you move down the diagram.
4. Making the assumption that each fossil represents a separate species. Explain how the chart illustrates divergent and phyletic speciation. Use specific fossils from the chart to support your answer.
It shows the illustrates divergent speciation from the evolution from main Ohioan to two upper Nevadians. The chart illustrates phyletic speciation from the evolution from upper Wyomington to main Ohioan.
5. Define the following terms:
• morphology: a branch usually about any topics on biology dealing with the form of living organisms.
• fossil: a remain of a prehistoric organism that has been preserved in a petrified form.
• phylogenetic tree: a branching diagram showing the inferred evolutionary relationships of various biological species or other entities
6. Examine the fossil that was un-earthered in a museum, apparently the labels and other information were lost. Using your fossil record, determine the time period this fossil is likely from.
This fossil probably started around the Montanian(170,00) because they have the same head shape and color. The tails are very similar also which means that both organisms were around at the same time.
7. Of the two major species that arose from the parent species, which was more successful? How do you know?
The triangle tailed species was more successful because they were the last evolved so that means they are fully evolved to its enviornment.
Well each organism started out one way and turned out a bit different because two different organisms would combine to form a different type of organism which happens over and over again like a cycle.
2. During which time period did the fossils differentiate into two branches?
During the Nevadian time period.
3. Explain how the chart illustrates both punctuated equilibrium and gradualism. Use specific fossils from the chart to support your answer.
The upper Wyomington to the upper Montanian all have the same head shape which shows that throughout the time many aspects of the organism didn't change but other parts changed. The table shows gradualism when the body in the Texian starts to get wider and the heads start to increase size as you move down the diagram.
4. Making the assumption that each fossil represents a separate species. Explain how the chart illustrates divergent and phyletic speciation. Use specific fossils from the chart to support your answer.
It shows the illustrates divergent speciation from the evolution from main Ohioan to two upper Nevadians. The chart illustrates phyletic speciation from the evolution from upper Wyomington to main Ohioan.
5. Define the following terms:
• morphology: a branch usually about any topics on biology dealing with the form of living organisms.
• fossil: a remain of a prehistoric organism that has been preserved in a petrified form.
• phylogenetic tree: a branching diagram showing the inferred evolutionary relationships of various biological species or other entities
6. Examine the fossil that was un-earthered in a museum, apparently the labels and other information were lost. Using your fossil record, determine the time period this fossil is likely from.
This fossil probably started around the Montanian(170,00) because they have the same head shape and color. The tails are very similar also which means that both organisms were around at the same time.
7. Of the two major species that arose from the parent species, which was more successful? How do you know?
The triangle tailed species was more successful because they were the last evolved so that means they are fully evolved to its enviornment.