Fossil Records

How does the fossil record help to support the theory of evolution?

• the fossil record shows that organisms slowly change over time

• The fossil record shows that species evolve very quickly

• The fossil record does not support the theory of evolution

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Evidence from the fossil record shows that species change gradually over time.

• True

• False

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

How do most fossils form?

• An insect becomes trapped in amber.

• An entire organism becomes frozen in ice.

• A dead organism becomes buried in sediment.

• A dead organism becomes buried in tar.

What evidence is most important when using relative dating?

• the half-life of a radioactive element

• the position of sediment in petrified rock

• the types of minerals in a petrified fossil

• the position of fossils in sedimentary rock layers

This diagram of the fossil record represents changes in mollusks over millions of years. How can the pattern of change in the fossil record best be explained?

• There was a period of sudden change followed by stasis.

• There was a period of stasis followed by rapid decline.

• There was a long period of sudden change.

• There was no period of change.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The fossil record provides evidence that 

• Fossils cannot be dated.

• All species were formed during Earth’s formation and have changed little since then.

• The fossilized species have no connection to today’s species.

• Older species gave rise to more-recent species.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Layered fossils create a historical sequence (timeline) is known as ____________.

• Natural Selection

• Evolution

• Fossil Record

• Extinction

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientists have collected millions of fossils of different organisms, and have developed a timeline of life on Earth. What do we call this?

• Mutation

• Natural Selection

• The theory of evolution

• Fossil Record

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

How do scientists determine the actual age of fossils?

• relative dating

• sedimentary dating

• radioactive dating

• mold and cast dating

What can scientists learn from studying the relationships between fossils?

• how old all rock layers are

• how life changed over time

• how many relatives fossils had

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1