Campbell Biology in Focus
Campbell Biology in Focus
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780134710679
Author: Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Rebecca Orr
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 25, Problem 1TYU

The oldest fossil eukaryote that can be resolved taxonomically is of

  1. A.    a red alga that lived 1.2 billion years ago.
  2. B.     a green alga that lived 635 million years ago.
  3. C.     a fungus that lived 2 billion years ago.
  4. D.    an Ediacaran that lived 550 million years ago.
Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Eukaryotic organisms need oxygen to survive. They are found in higher amounts in the atmosphere and are multicellular organisms.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer:

The oldest fossil eukaryotic alga is a red alga that lived 1.2 billion years ago. Therefore, option (A) is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

The red alga lived 1.2 billion years ago and required oxygen for survival. This evidence suggests that oxygen was present to support the survival of the red alga.

Option (A) is given as “a red alga that lived 1.2 billion years ago”.

The oldest fossil eukaryote was determined taxonomically as a red alga, which lived 1.2 billion years ago. Hence, it is the right answer.

Hence, option (A) is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (B) is given as “a green alga that lived 635 million years ago”.

A green alga belongs to the group of cyanobacteria, which is the group of prokaryotes and not eukaryotes. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (C) is given as “a fungus that lived 2 billion years ago”.

A fungus that lived 2 billion years ago belongs to a different taxonomic group and was not an eukaryotic organism. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (D) is given as “an Ediacaran that lived 550 million years ago”.

In the Ediacaran period, different shapes and sizes of organisms lived, but at that time there was no evidence of the presence of eukaryotes. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Hence, options (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect.

Conclusion

The red alga is the oldest eukaryotic alga reported by fossil records. This eukaryotic organism requires oxygen to survive and they lived 1.2 billion years ago.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Other than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?
Selection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?
Competition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large?  What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Discovering the tree of life | California Academy of Sciences; Author: California Academy of Sciences;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjvLQJ6PIiU;License: Standard Youtube License