Module 8 The History of Life

Candice and her family decide to tour the museum of natural history in their city. Candice is interested in fossils. Which is an example of a fossil Candice might see at the museum?

• dinosaur footprints in a slab of rock

• 
  cave drawings painted by prehistoric humans

• a mummified cat from ancient Egypt

• prehistoric seeds from a dinosaur’s stomach

Rashida must write an essay about how life first evolved on Earth as part of an entrance exam to participate in a summer science camp. Which are examples of the information she should include in her essay? Select all that apply.

• Ancestors of eukaryotic cells lived together in some association with prokaryotic cells.

• 
  Earth’s life forms originated from cells brought to Earth by meteorites from space.

• 
  Life evolved slowly over many millions of years.

• 
  Early Earth conditions were the same as present-day conditions.

What is the difference between Earth’s early atmosphere and Earth’s present atmosphere?

• Earth’s early atmosphere had free oxygen gas present. Earth’s present atmosphere has little to no free oxygen gas present.

• Earth’s early atmosphere had free nitrogen gas present. Earth’s present atmosphere has little to no free nitrogen gas present.

• Earth’s early atmosphere had little to no free oxygen gas. Earth’s present atmosphere has free oxygen gas present.

• Earth’s early atmosphere had little to no free nitrogen gas. Earth’s present atmosphere has free nitrogen gas present.

Which of the following terms for geologic time is the SMALLEST?

• eon

• era

• period

• epoch

What are eras made up of?

• two or more epochs

• two or more periods

• two or more eras

• two or more eons

In what era did mammals become the dominant land animals?

• • Precambrian

• • Mesozoic era

• • Cenozoic era

• • Paleozoic era

In what era did Earth form and the first organisms appear?

• • Precambrian

• • Mesozoic era

• • Cenozoic era

• • Paleozoic era

Earth’s early atmosphere did not include which of the following gases?

• nitrogen gas

• 
  water vapor

• oxygen gas

• 
  sulfur dioxide

A _________ is preserved evidence of an organism, often found in sedimentary rock, that provides evidence of past life

• rock

• paleontologist

• cambrian

• fossil

The scientists who collect and study these pieces of evidence are called _______.

• fossilologist

• biologist

• paleontologist

• archaeologist