Fossils and the History of Life

Which layer is the youngest?

• A

• F

• Can not tell

• They are all the same age.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The hardened remains of a living thing that died long ago.

• fossil

• extinct

• endangered

• minerals

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

This type of fossil is tree sap hardened and replaced by minerals.

• Petrified wood

• Imprint

• Amber

• Mold

What type of fossil is pictured here?

• Forest fossil

• Trace fossil

• Cast fossil

• Body fossil

What is a scientist that studies fossils?

• Paleontologist

• Fossiologist

• Dinologist

• Physicist

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of the following best describes the Cambrian Explosion?

• A sudden increase in volcanic activity during the Cambrian period

• A rapid diversification of multicellular life forms in the fossil record

• The extinction event that marked the end of the Cambrian period

• 1. A period of glaciation that covered much of the Earth's surface

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is one major pattern in the fossil record?

• The sudden appearance of new species

• The decreasing diversity of life forms

• The increasing complexity of life over time

• 1. The complete absence of transitional forms

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Does the fossil record include every species that ever lived? Why or why not?

• Yes, the fossil record is comprehensive and includes every species.

• No, only species with hard body parts are preserved as fossils.

• No, very few living things actually end up as fossils. Most dead organisms are eaten or decompose before they have a chance to be preserved. Also, some animals without hard body parts might not be preserved at all.

• Yes, but it may take millions of years for fossils to form.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

How do we know when an adaptive radiation event occurred?

• By analyzing the genetic makeup of modern organisms.

• By examining the geographic distribution of species.

• There is evidence in the fossil record of more organisms existing at that time than were shown in the fossil record before that time.

• By studying the behavior of species in different environments.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What evidence is there that mass extinction events occurred?

• Increased fossil diversity over time

• Fossilized remains found in every layer of rock

• A sudden increase in the number of species

• There is a large decrease in the diversity of fossils found for a certain period of time in history and the fossils of those organisms are never found again in younger layers of rock.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1