Earth Space Science Unit Review

In order to determine the relationship between fossils, the ages of the fossils need to be determined. Which process will most accurately determine the ages of two similar fossils?

• by using seismic waves

• by using radioactive dating

• by comparing the two fossils to index fossils

• by looking at the geographic locations where the fossils were found

The diagram represents layers of exposed rocks where paleontologists have found fossils of early horses. The characteristics of five horse species are listed in the table.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FIVE HORSE SPECIES

Eohippus: Four toes on fore foot; Three toes on hind foot; Short-crowned teeth without cement; Height: 38 cm

Equus: One toe on fore foot; One toe on hind foot; Long-crowned, cement-covered teeth; Height: 150 cm

Merychippus: Three toes on fore foot; Three toes on hind foot; Long-crowned, cement-covered teeth; Height: 100 cm

Mesohippus: Three toes on fore foot; Three toes on hind foot; Short-crowned teeth without cement; Height: 52 cm

Pliohippus: One toe on fore foot; One toe on hind foot; Long-crowned, cement-covered teeth; Height: 125 cm

Which conclusion about the evolutionary history of horses is best supported by the fossil record evidence?

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in body size.

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in toe number.

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in tooth crown size.

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in tooth cement covering.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram shows the skeletal systems of a theropod dinosaur, an archaeopteryx, and a modern chicken. Which statement is supported by the evidence shown in the diagram?

• Chickens evolved directly from theropod dinosaurs.

• Chickens and theropod dinosaurs share a common ancestor.

• Archaeopteryx is the first animal that developed the ability to fly.

• Theropod dinosaurs and archaeopteryx filled similar ecological niches.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which graph below correctly depicts how the concentration of oxygen changed from early earth to later atmosphere conditions?

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The fossil record shows that some organisms have become extinct. However, some of these extinct organisms closely resemble organisms that are still alive today. Which of the following best describes why some extinct species in the fossil record are similar to organisms living today?

• All organisms have identical genetic codes and therefore produce similar features.

• Organisms are related by a common ancestor that evolved over a very long period of time.

• Organisms adapted the same way to their environments in order to produce beneficial traits.

• Following mass extinctions, new organisms followed the genetic path of the previous extinct organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The scientific explanation of the origin of life on Earth is based on evidence gathered throughout the physical and life sciences. What is the common thread of the different theories of the origin of life on Earth?

• Lightning caused living organisms to form.

• Lightning provided energy for cell membranes to form.

• The earliest life-building compounds contained carbon.

• The early Earth's atmosphere was similar to what we see now.

According to most current theories about the origin of life, in which location did life most likely form first?

• in the desert

• in the ocean

• in a swamp

• in the atmosphere

Scientists Stanley Miller and Harold Urey set up an experiment modeling the environmental conditions thought to exist during the early stages of Earth’s formation. The setup of Miller and Urey’s experiment is shown below.

Which conclusion about the origin of life could be drawn from the results of this experiment?

• Life evolved from simple unicellular organisms.

• Life assembled from chemical building blocks.

• Life is a mutation of an ancient virus.

• Life was encoded by DNA.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-6

According to the graph what fraction of the original parent isotope still exists after 4 half-lives have passed?

• 1/2

• 1/4

• 1/8

• 1/16

What is the currently accepted age of Earth?

• about 4.6 million years old

• about 10 billion years old

• about 4.6 billion years old

• about 5.6 billion years old