Fossils and Earth's History

What is the term for the preserved parts of organisms from the distant past?

• Artifacts

• Minerals

• Fossils

• Sediments

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What are fossils?

• Modern plants and animals

• Preserved remains of past organisms

• Living organisms

• Artificially created objects

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which method is used to determine the exact age of rocks and fossils?

• Thermoluminescence

• Dendrochronology

• Radiometric dating

• Carbon dating

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Who studies fossils to learn about life in the past?

• Archaeologists

• Paleontologists

• Biologists

• Geologists

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Fossil trees were discovered in a sedimentary rock layer. In the rock layer below are fossils of clams, similar to clams that are currently found on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Based on this evidence, we could conclude that the area where the fossils were discovered had what sequence of climates in the past?

• Beach, followed by a forest

• Rocky and dry, then very moist

• Forest, and later a mountain

• Very cold area, then much warmer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is the best explanation for the location of the fossil?

• This kind of fish was often eaten by land animals.

• This kind of fish had once lived on land.

• The area used to be filled with water.

• The area used to be very cold.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

How do scientists use fossils to learn about the history of life on Earth?

• By examining fossils from the same species and time

• By studying only the migration patterns

• By comparing features of species from different times

• By predicting future evolutionary changes

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What was the main source of evidence for evolution until recently?

• Climate data

• Fossils

• DNA analysis

• Modern animal studies

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is the significance of rock layers in determining the age of fossils?

• Newer layers form on top of older layers

• Older layers are on top

• Newer layers are older

• All layers are the same age

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4