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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, is the machine created by the instructions beneficial or dangerous?
(a) It is beneficial.
(b) It is dangerous.
(c) It is both beneficial and dangerous, at different times.
(d) It is neither dangerous nor beneficial.

2. What would competition between early self-copying molecules be over?
(a) Water.
(b) Space.
(c) Building-block molecules.
(d) Gaseous molecules.

3. What does Dawkins suggest fooling certain genes into thinking the body is younger might do?
(a) Increase reproduction.
(b) Decrease genetic variation.
(c) Increase lifespan.
(d) Decrease mutation.

4. What does Dawkins call the molecule that he imagines as the first molecule to make copies of itself?
(a) The replicator.
(b) The chicken-and-egg molecule.
(c) The duplicator.
(d) The proto-RNA.

5. What would give longevity to early self-duplicating molecules, according to Dawkins?
(a) Larger numbers of components.
(b) Smaller numbers of elements.
(c) Greater stability.
(d) Greater flexibility.

Short Answer Questions

1. What would molecules that started to manufacture energy using the sun eventually become?

2. According to Dawkins, are mistakes in fidelity good or bad?

3. In the science fiction story Dawkins cites, what do the instructions make?

4. What does Dawkins say readers can think of DNA as?

5. According to Dawkins, are the self-copying molecules that Dawkins discusses "life" or not?

(see the answer key)

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