The Evolutionary History of the Animal Kingdom

Review Questions

Which of the following periods is the earliest during which animals may have appeared?

  1. Ordovician period
  2. Cambrian period
  3. Ediacaran period
  4. Cryogenian period

Hint:

D

What type of data is primarily used to determine the existence and appearance of early animal species?

  1. molecular data
  2. fossil data
  3. morphological data
  4. embryological development data

Hint:

B

The time between 542–488 million years ago marks which period?

  1. Cambrian period
  2. Silurian period
  3. Ediacaran period
  4. Devonian period

Hint:

A

Until recent discoveries suggested otherwise, animals existing before the Cambrian period were believed to be:

  1. small and ocean-dwelling
  2. small and nonmotile
  3. small and soft-bodied
  4. small and radially symmetrical or asymmetrical

Hint:

C

Plant life first appeared on land during which of the following periods?

  1. Cambrian period
  2. Ordovician period
  3. Silurian period
  4. Devonian period

Hint:

B

Approximately how many mass extinction events occurred throughout the evolutionary history of animals?

  1. 3
  2. 4
  3. 5
  4. more than 5

Hint:

D