Flashcard - The Fossil Record

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What is the Fossil Record?

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The Fossil Record is the millions of fossils that scientists have collected, which provide evidence of past life on Earth.

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What is a mass extinction?

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A mass extinction is the extinction of many types of organisms at the same time.

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How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

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Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past, indicating evolutionary changes.

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What type of fossil is Archaeopteryx?

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Archaeopteryx is a famous example of a transitional fossil.

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What happens to specimens in the fossil record over time?

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As time goes on, specimens in the fossil record become more complex.

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What is a transitional fossil?

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A transitional fossil is a fossil that shows intermediate states between an ancestral form and that of its descendants.

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What does the Geologic Time Scale represent?

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The Geologic Time Scale represents the timeline of Earth's history, divided into different periods based on geological and biological events.

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What evidence do fossils provide about Earth's past environments?

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Different sedimentary rock layers provide evidence for how the environment has changed over time.

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What is the significance of extinct species in the fossil record?

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Extinct species in the fossil record help scientists understand the history of life and the changes that have occurred over time.

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How do paleontologists study fossils?

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Paleontologists study fossils by excavating them, analyzing their structure, and determining their age through various dating methods.