Question detail

What is the significance of the increase in atmospheric oxygen for the evolution of life on Earth?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere

Question

A. It allowed for the extinction of anaerobic organisms.
B. It facilitated the development of multicellular organisms.
C. It decreased the diversity of life forms.
D. It had no significant impact on evolution.

Answer

The correct option is It facilitated the development of multicellular organisms.. This answer is correct because it matches the approved learning objective to link the increase in atmospheric oxygen to the development of more complex life in the subtopic How oxygen increased.

Explanation

The correct option is It facilitated the development of multicellular organisms.. It facilitated the development of multicellular organisms. is correct because it directly supports the approved learning objective to link the increase in atmospheric oxygen to the development of more complex life. This belongs to the subtopic How oxygen increased within The composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, so the explanation must stay tied to that curriculum context. The other options are incorrect because they either do not answer this learning objective, use a vague statement, or move away from How oxygen increased.

Common mistake

Linking Oxygen Increase to Life

Students often confuse the increase in atmospheric oxygen with the presence of life rather than understanding that the increase in oxygen levels was a result of photosynthetic organisms, which allowed for the development of more complex life.

To fix this, students should focus on the role of photosynthesis in producing oxygen and how this oxygen enabled the evolution of more complex organisms.

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