Conclusions from Fossil Evidence

Conclusions from Fossil Evidence

Multiple Choice

How do rock layers help geologists better understand the evolution of life on Earth?

• They can provide a random order of events.

• They can provide a variable order of events.

• They can provide a general order of events.

• They can provide a perfect order of events.

Answer

• Rock layers (strata) help provide a general order of events in earth's history - it isn't perfect since the layers can get shifted around, but it is still useful!

Multiple Choice

Which method describes a way of arranging fossils in chronological order? (from oldest to newest)

• comparing the fossils with other similar living species

• arranging the fossils on the basis of their sizes and masses

• correlating each fossil to the rock layer in which it was found

• evaluating the condition of the fossils when they are discovered

Answer

• Since we have a general idea about the age of different rock layers, this gives us information about the fossils that the layers contain.

• The deeper the fossil, the older the fossil.

Multiple Choice

Scientists think that the ancient animal on the left is related to the modern animal on the right and has gone through many changes over time.

How did the scientists conclude that the animal changed over time?

• by examining fossil records

• by learning about natural selection

• by studying deposition of sediments

• by observing different types of rock formations

Multiple Choice

What question could best be answered by studying fossils?

• How are canyons created by rivers?

• How was water formed on Earth's surface?

• How are coral reefs formed on ocean floors?

• How did birds evolve from reptiles over time?

Evidence of Evolution

• Fossils can show how species have evolved.

• Example: The fossil record shows that over time, horses evolved and developed hooves + longer legs to better run from predators and stronger teeth to grind tougher grass.

• These changes occurred over millions of years.

Multiple Choice

What is the best way for a scientist to prove that a modern-day animal evolved from a recently discovered fossil?

• Show similar minerals within the fossil and organism.

• Show comparative anatomy within the fossil and organism.

• Show evidence of each organism with an ice core sample.

• Show that each organism lived in an identical environment.

Evidence of Ancestry

• Anatomical similarities = similar body parts

• Scientists can compare the body parts of different organisms to show that they may be related

• The more similarities between two organisms, the closer related they are.

Multiple Choice

Scientists found the fossilized remains of a woolly mammoth that is believed to be an ancestor of modern day elephants. What method can be used to study the evolutionary relationship between the woolly mammoth and the elephant?

• examine the rock layers where the fossil was found

• examine anatomical similarities between the two species

• examine the environments where modern elephants live

• examine the fossils of species that lived near woolly mammoths

Multiple Choice

The diagram shows a reconstructed image of the Archaeopteryx, one of the oldest-known fossil animals, with features labeled.

What can be inferred about the Archaeopteryx?

• The Archaeopteryx may have been an ancestor of modern-day birds.

• The Archaeopteryx could not fly very high.

• The Archaeopteryx was an omnivorous animal.

• The Archaeopteryx used to build its nest in trees.

Evidence of Evolution

• Over time, organisms have become more complex

• Think about how complex humans are - our bodies contain millions of specialized cells with specific purposes - compared to the single-celled organisms that first existed on Earth.

Multiple Choice

The chart shows the different organisms that evolved over a timespan.

Based on the information given in the chart, a student records some inferences. Which inference is correct?

• The first insects evolved around 400 million years ago.

• The Mesozoic Era contained only reptiles and mammals.

• The Paleozoic Era contained only organisms with backbones.

• The complexity of life forms increased with the passage of time.

Evidence of Evolution

• The more recent an organism was fossilized, the more closely related it is to a modern organism.

Multiple Choice

Examine the diagram showing fossils within sedimentary rock layers.

Which statement best explains the evolution of these fossils?

• The fossil in layer A is more closely related to a modern organism.

• The fossil in layer B is more closely related to a modern organism.

• The fossil in layer C is more closely related to a modern organism.

• The fossil in layer D is more closely related to a modern organism.

Any Questions?