Lichens Are Older Than Plants

question 61

Multiple Choice

Lichens are older than plants. Is it possible that lichens were an important component in aiding the colonization of land by plants?

• A)Yes; lichens could have floated in oceans and accidentally been washed up on land.
• B)Yes; lichens could have modified the rocks and soil in a similar way that they do today when they colonize areas disturbed by volcanic explosions and fires.
• C)No, because fungus and algae colonized land at different times.
• D)No, because the fungus component of lichens is not as old as algae.
• E)More experiments need to be done before we are sure.

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Definitions:

Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum of the brain, involved in various high-level brain functions such as thought, memory, and action.

Glial Cells

Non-neuronal cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems that support, nourish, and protect neurons, playing a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and forming myelin.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons, where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals from one neuron to another.

Human Neuron

A nerve cell that is the building block of the nervous system in humans, responsible for transmitting information between different parts of the body through electrical and chemical signals.