Question 2 of 21

When did vascular plants evolve from algae, according to evidence provided by ancient spores?

... Land plants evolved from algae around 450 million years ago.

Question 3 of 21

Based on pollen analysis, how long ago did the last vegetation in Antarctica die off?

... Just 12 million years ago, plants and vegetation grew in the icy region of Antarctica.

Question 4 of 21

By comparing changes in pollen spores over time, paleoecologists can learn more about this phenomenon.

... Paleoecology provides significant clues to those studying climate change.

Question 5 of 21

While each pollen spore is unique, what characteristic do all of these spores share?

... Pollen spores are virtually indestructible, and they're highly resistant to decomposition over time.

Question 6 of 21

In what field do scientists study pollen that was found in the bodies of living and fossilized insects?

... Entomopalynology involves the study of pollen spores found on or in the bodies of insects.

Question 7 of 21

What name is given to clumps of fossilized pollen that failed to separate into single particles?

... Cryptospores consist of clumps of pollen and are quite useful in terms of pollen dating.

Question 8 of 21

How old is the oldest spore that has ever been revived in a laboratory?

... In the '90s, scientists extracted 20- to 35-million-year-old spores and revived them to form living bacteria.

Question 9 of 21

What name is given to organic spores found in rocks or soil?

... Palynomorphs allow scientists to study everything from plant and animal evolution to the age of the universe.

Question 10 of 21

What characteristic of ancient spores is used to analyze geothermal activity?

... The color of ancient spores provides important clues about geothermal activity.

Question 11 of 21

What special group of ancient spores do limnologists focus on?

... Limnologists rely on spores and pollen fossils as they study freshwater ponds and lakes.

Question 12 of 21

What term describes how rapidly a pollen spore falls to the earth?

... The sinking speed of pollen spores ranges from 2 to 30 centimeters per second, depending on weight, shape and size.

Question 13 of 21

Which field of palynology allows scientists to study pollen spores to solve crimes?

... Forensic palynology is the practice of analyzing pollen spores to help solve crimes.

Question 14 of 21

Sporomiella, a type of fungus found in animal dung, provides important clues to this phenomenon.

... Sporomiella helps scientists estimate the timing of animal extinctions.

Question 15 of 21

How many spores of pollen does an inactive person inhale while sitting around the house over a 24-hour period?

... An inactive person inhales 7,200 pollen spores in a single day, while those who are active or who spend time outdoors can inhale many more.

Question 16 of 21

Which field of palynology involves the study of still-living spores rather than fossilized ones?

... Actuopaly involves studying living spores, rather than ancient ones.

Question 17 of 21

The term "palynology" comes from an ancient Greek word, "paluno," which means what?

... Paluno is an ancient Greek term meaning "to sprinkle."

Question 18 of 21

The field of biostratigraphy involves analyzing ancient spores to study what?

... Biostratigraphy is the study of the Earth's strata, or layers.

Question 19 of 21

Which field of medicine relies on ancient spores to provide clues about allergens and air quality?

... Aerobiology has important implications for allergy sufferers.

Question 20 of 21

What branch of palynology focuses on the study of pollen found in honey?

... Melissopalynology provides important clues about bees and their role in pollen distribution.

Question 21 of 21

How many pollen spores are released by the average flower?

... The average flower produces as many as 70,000 spores of pollen.

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