Lesson on Introduction to Paleobiology

How does the introduction develop the main idea?

• It uses anecdotal evidence to illustrate how studies in the field of paleontology changed over time.

• It uses specific examples to describe the types of information that paleontologists can learn from fossils.

• It contrasts the value of fossils from plant material as compared with those from animal remains.

• It explores the events that cause plants and animals to develop into fossils over millions of years.

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What is the MAIN reason the author includes the sections under the subheading "Fast Facts"?

• to make note of additional facts about paleontology that are indirectly related to the other sections but may be of interest to readers

• to elaborate on historical information provided in other sections about ancient people's mistaken understanding of fossils

• to refine the idea that evolutionary biology has had important effects on the other subdisciplines of paleontology in the article

• to introduce problems that the field of paleontology experienced in its earliest years of existence not mentioned in the article

Which option accurately describes how the images included in the article affect the reader’s understanding of paleontology?

• They indicate how paleontologists use special tools on fossilized matter to reconstruct the evolution of different species across time.

• They indicate how paleontology has been changed by the types of fossils that have been discovered recently compared with in the past.

• They provide visuals of the way that fossilized bones can help paleontologists understand the size and structure of ancient creatures.

• They provide visuals of the various types of fossils and fossilized matter that are studied in the different subdisciplines of paleontology.

Which conclusion is BEST supported by both Image 2 and the information in the section “Invertebrate Paleontology"?

• Many fossilized shells of invertebrates such as oysters have been found throughout North America.

• Paleontologists learn a lot about invertebrates from the fossils of their soft body parts.

• The location and appearance of fossilized invertebrate shells give clues about the environment.

• Invertebrate fossils often earn strange nicknames from their thick and chalky appearance.

Which is an accurate theory as to what early scholars believed fossils were or where they came from?

• In Medieval times, scholars believed them to be demons encased inside stone

• During the Middle Ages, they believed them to be remains left behind from God's first creations

• Indian philosophers thought them to be the remains of a sub species of ancient elephants.

• Chinese philosophers believed them to be evidence of dragons.

What conclusion could BEST be supported by the studies on amber?

• Amber is a phenomenon of crystallization and hardened tree sap.

• By analyzing the layering and makeup of the amber they can deduce the climate and temperature of the time.

• Amber is the best material to study from as specimens are preserved almost exactly as the were at their time

• By studying certain animals that were trapped in the amber, scientist can deduce how and what the creatures ate

Which is NOT a way invertebrates leave behind evidence on their existence?

• They leave behind fossilized shells

• They leave behind a hardened mucus on the rocks of the ocean floor

• They leaves impressions of soft body parts in the fossils

• They leave behind tracks on the ocean floor

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What allowed paleontologists to study living organisms for clues to understanding fossil evidence?

• Darwin's Theory of Evolution

• Micro-tech HP Scanners

• DNA evidence

• Geographical location, habitat, climate and food

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