How Has the Geological Process of Plate Tectonics Influenced the Process

question 80

Multiple Choice

How has the geological process of plate tectonics influenced the process of evolution over geologic time?

• A) The changing location of the plates across the Earth's surface exposes organisms to differing concentrations of mutagens, thus increasing or decreasing the rate of evolution.
• B) The rate of evolutionary change is directly proportional to the speed with which the Earth's tectonic plates are moving.
• C) The changing location of the plates across the Earth's surface results in changing climatic environmental conditions for various communities and populations of organisms. This has driven evolutionary change.
• D) The movement of the Earth's geologic plates is the source of energy that ultimately drives the process of evolution.
• E) The movement of the Earth's geologic plates further away from the equator resulted in an increase in the gravitational forces on the planet. This allowed for the initial accumulation of the gases that form the Earth's atmosphere.

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Definitions:

Chromosomes Line Up

A phase in cell division where chromosomes align in the middle of the cell before being separated into daughter cells.

Mitosis

A process of cell division in eukaryotic cells that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell.

Plasma Membrane

The lipid bilayer that surrounds a cell, controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

Storing Energy

The process of retaining energy produced in one form for future use, such as through chemical bonds, batteries, or other mediums.