
Concept explainers
Figure 47.6 Scientists measured the relative abundance ot fern spores above and below the K-Pg boundary in this reck sample. Which of the following statements most likely represents their findings?
- An abundance of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above.

Introduction:
The K-Pg extinction or K-T extinction called as Cretaceous Paleogene extinction eliminated 80% of all species of animals and plants about 66 million years ago. We can see at the boundary between the terrestrial and marine ecosystem, there were present high levels of iridium metal that was said to be from the asteroid that had hit earth. There was huge amount of organic matter that was obtained by the decay of destruction of plants leading to growth of fungi as these are saprophytic and thrived for many years.
Answer to Problem 1VCQ
Correct answer:
The correct answer is option (a) A lot of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above.
Explanation of Solution
Explanation/justification for the correct answer:
Option (a) A lot of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found above. During that period, there was the destruction of plants that lead to a proliferation of fungi as these are saprophytic and thrive on dead matter. The general environment was dominated by photosynthetic organisms namely ferns that lead to an increase in fern throughout the geological area. The spores were found below the boundary as it dominated over the other angiosperm pollen grains.
Explanation for incorrect answers:
Option (b) A lot of fern spores from several species was found below the K-Pg boundary, but none was found below. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as these are saprophytic dominating the other angiosperms. The spores were found to below the boundary. Hence, this option is not correct.
Option (c) A lot of fern spores from several species was found both above and below the K-Pg boundary, but only one species was found below the boundary and many species were found above the boundary. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as these are saprophytic dominating the other angiosperms. The spores were found to below the boundary. Hence, this option is not correct.
Option (d) Many species of fern spores were found both above and below the boundary, but the total number of spores was greater below the boundary. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as the spore dispersal allowed to show dominance. Though the ferns faded, their spores were found below the boundary. There were many types of spores found and not only one. Hence, this option is not correct.
Scientists measured the relative abundance of fern spores above and below the K-Pg boundary in this rock sample. With the destruction of plants, fungi developed in large numbers as the spore dispersal allowed to show dominance. Though the ferns faded, their spores were found below the boundary.
Hence, the statement (a) is correct.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 47 Solutions
Biology 2e
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Biology: Life on Earth (11th Edition)
Microbiology with Diseases by Body System (5th Edition)
Campbell Biology (11th Edition)
Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (3rd Edition)
Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
- Question about general transcription factors and their relationship to polymerasesarrow_forwardIdentify the indicated structure?arrow_forwardrewrite: Problem 1 (Mental Health): The survivor victim is dealing with acute stress and symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their traumatic experience during the January 2025 wildfire. Goal 1: To alleviate the client's overall level, frequency, and intensity of anxiety and PTSD symptoms so that daily functioning remains unimpaired. Objective 1: The client will learn and regularly use at least two anxieties management techniques to reduce anxiety symptoms to less than three episodes per week. Intervention 1: The therapist will provide psychoeducation about anxiety and PTSD, including their symptoms and triggers. The therapist will also teach and assist the client in adopting relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation, to better manage anxiety and lessen PTSD symptoms.arrow_forward
- O Macmillan Learning You have 0.100 M solutions of acetic acid (pKa = 4.76) and sodium acetate. If you wanted to prepare 1.00 L of 0.100 M acetate buffer of pH 4.00, how many milliliters of acetic acid and sodium acetate would you add? acetic acid: mL sodium acetate: mLarrow_forwardHow does the cost of food affect the nutritional choices people make?arrow_forwardBiopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics:Two-Compartment Model Zero-Order Absorption Questions SHOW ALL WORK, including equation used, variables used and each step to your solution, report your regression lines and axes names (with units if appropriate) :Calculate a-q a) B1, b) B2, c) hybrid rate constant (1) d) hybrid rate constant (2) e) t1/2,dist f) t1/2,elim g) k10 h) k12 i) k21 j) initial concentration (C0) k) central compartment volume (V1) l) steady-state volume (Vss) m) clearance (CL) AUC (0→10 min) using trapezoidal rule n) AUC (20→30 min) using trapezoidal rule o) AUCtail (AUC360→∞) p) total AUC (using short cut method) q) volume from AUC (VAUC)arrow_forward
- What are some external influences that keep people from making healthy eating decisions?arrow_forwardWhat type of structure(s) would you expect to see in peripheral membrane proteins? (mark all that apply) A. Amphipathic alpha helix (one side is hydrophilic and one side is hydrophobic) B. A hydrophobic beta barrel C. A hydrophobic alpha helix D. A chemical group attached to the protein that can anchor it to the membranearrow_forwardTemporal flexibility (the ability to change over time) of actin structures within a cell is maintained by… A. The growth/shrinkage cycle B. Periodic catastrophe C. GTP hydrolysis D. Treadmilling E. None of the abovearrow_forward
- During in vitro polymerization of actin and microtubule filaments from their subunits, what causes the initial delay in filament growth? A.Nucleation B.Reaching homeostasis C.Nucleotide exchange D.ATP or GTP hydrolysis E.Treadmillingarrow_forwardYou expect to find which of the following in the Microtubule Organizing Center (MTOC)...(mark all that apply) A. Gamma tubulin B. XMAP215 C. Centrioles D. Kinesin-13arrow_forwardThe actin-nucleating protein formin has flexible “arms” containing binding sites that help recruit subunits in order to enhance microfilament polymerization. What protein binds these sites? A.Thymosin B.Profilin C.Cofilin D.Actin E.Tropomodulinarrow_forward
- Biology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...BiologyISBN:9781305117396Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning




