SAVVAS Investigation 10 – The Fossil Record Vocabulary

What is the method of determining the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other rock layers?

• The method is called relative dating.

• The method is called absolute dating.

• The method is called radiometric dating.

• The method is called carbon dating.

What is a distinctive fossil that is used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

• A distinctive fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils is called an index fossil.

• A distinctive fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils is called a trace fossil.

• A distinctive fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils is called a body fossil.

• A distinctive fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils is called a microfossil.

What is the method for determining the age of a sample from the amount of a radioactive isotope to the nonradioactive isotope of the same element in a sample?

• Radiometric dating

• Carbon dating

• Thermoluminescence dating

• Dendrochronology

What is the length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay?

• The length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay is known as the half-life.

• The time it takes for all radioactive atoms to decay.

• The time it takes for a radioactive atom to lose all its energy.

• The time it takes for a radioactive sample to become non-radioactive.

What is the timeline used to represent Earth's history?

• Geologic Time Scale

• Historical Timeline

• Astronomical Calendar

• Biological Chronology

What is the study of past and present distribution of organisms?

• The study of past and present distribution of organisms is called biogeography.

• The study of past and present distribution of organisms is called ecology.

• The study of past and present distribution of organisms is called taxonomy.

• The study of past and present distribution of organisms is called genetics.

What are structures that are similar in different species of common ancestry?

• homologous structures

• analogous structures

• vestigial structures

• morphological structures

What are body parts that share a common function, but not an evolutionary history?

• Analogous structures

• Homologous structures

• Vestigial structures

• Embryonic structures

What is a structure that is inherited from ancestors but has lost much or all of its original function?

• A vestigial structure.

• A homologous structure.

• An analogous structure.

• A functional structure.

What is a group of homeotic genes clustered together that determine the head to tail identity of body parts in animals?

• A group of homeotic genes clustered together that determine the head to tail identity of body parts in animals is known as a Hox gene cluster.

• A group of homeotic genes that control the development of limbs in animals is known as a Pax gene cluster.

• A group of homeotic genes that regulate the immune response in animals is known as an MHC gene cluster.

• A group of homeotic genes that determine the color patterns in animals is known as a Melanocyte gene cluster.