Fossils Quiz

The feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx is sometimes called the “first bird” because the winged creature was the first to show an evolutionary link between birds and reptiles. Archaeopteryx is an example of

• an index fossil

• a transitional fossil

• a coprolite

• a trace fossil

The preserved evidence of an animal’s activity or behaviour, rather than the remains of the animal itself are called what type of fossils?

• Mineralised fossils

• Trace fossils

• Casts

• Molds

Which of these organisms is the oldest?

• Coral

• Crinoid

• Ammonite

• Trilobite

Which of these organisms from the diagram would make the most suitable index fossil?

• Gastropod

• Crinoid

• Ammonite

• Trilobite

The half-life of Cobalt-60 is 5.27 years. What percentage of the initial Co-60 will remain after two half-lives?

• 50%

• 25%

• 5g

• 2.5g

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons are called

• ions

• isotopes

• electrons

• carbon

What term describes the time required for one half the atoms of a given amount of a radioactive substance to disintegrate?

• Half-life

• Isotope

• Carbon

• Radioactive

How many protons are in an atom of carbon-14

• 6

• 7

• 8

• <0.1%

Which of the following conditions are NOT required for fossilisation to occur?

• Decomposition of remains

• High pressure to promote mineralisation

• Hard body parts (bones, teeth, shells)

• Anoxic (low oxygen) conditions

What is the term for the relative dating technique concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering?

• Absolute dating

• Seriation

• Paleozoic

• Stratigraphy