A2.1 Origins of Cells HL

Question 1

Time before life, with chemical evolution

Answer 1

Prebiotic Era

Question 2

Smallest structure considered to be alive and contains all the characteristics of life

Answer 2

Cell

Question 3

Molecule that stores genetic information, self-replicate, and act as an enzyme, but has a lower copying fidelity compared to DNA

Answer 3

RNA

Question 4

Non-living entity that is not considered to possess all the characteristics of life

Answer 4

Virus

Question 5

Past Conditions of Earth

Answer 5

Low atmospheric oxygen, higher levels of methane and carbon dioxide, higher UV radiation due to lack of ozone

Question 6

A ribozyme that is contained within the large subunit of the ribosome

Answer 6

peptidyl transferase

Question 7

An experiment mimicked early Earth conditions, offering evidence that the molecules essential for life could spontaneously form

Answer 7

Miller-Urey Experiment

Question 8

Answer 8

Last Universal Ancestor

Question 9

Molecule storing genetic information with high-fidelity copying

Answer 9

DNA

Question 10

RNA molecules function like enzymes, facilitating biochemical reactions within a cell

Answer 10

Ribozymes

Question 11

Type of ecosystem characterized by hot water supporting unique life forms

Answer 11

Hydrothermal vent

Question 12

Ability that living organisms have to use energy to maintain specific order and structure, which nonliving components cannot do

Answer 12

highly ordered state of living organisms

Question 13

Biological structure transports certain substances across a membrane, creating different chemical environments inside (A) and outside (B).

Answer 13

lipid bilayer

Question 14

Fissures in the ocean floor that release hot, mineral-rich water

Answer 14

Hydrothermal Vent

Question 15

Evidence from archaea and bacteria genes indicates their ancestors likely evolved near hydrothermal vents

Answer 15

Hydrothermal Vent Evidence

Question 16

Recent common ancestor of all current life on Earth

Answer 16

Last Universal Common Ancestor

Question 17

Evidence that cyanobacteria was present around 3.4 billion years ago

Answer 17

Stromatolite Evidence

Question 18

Type of layered sedimentary rocks that are formed by the growth of cyanobacteria

Answer 18

Stromatolites

Question 19

Ratio of the atomic abundances of two isotopes of the same element

Answer 19

Isotope Ratio

Question 20

Scientific evidence, pulled from elements in rocks dating back over 3 billion years, can point to the presence of living organisms

Answer 20

Isotope Ratio Evidence

Question 21

Present Conditions of Earth

Answer 21

High concentration of oxygen in atmosphere, lower UV radiation due to ozone layer

Question 22

Ancient formation, composed of layers of cyanobacteria and sediment, provides a glimpse into Earth’s early microbial life

Answer 22

fossilized stromatolite

Question 23

Natural tendency of phospholipids to create spherical bilayers due to their amphipathic properties

Answer 23

Spontaneous Vesicle Formation