Geologic History and the Evolution of Life Chapter Review

Geologic History and the Evolution of Life Chapter Review

By AJH SCIENCE CLASSES

Multiple Choice

How old is the Earth that the Geologic Time Scale is based on?

• 3 billion years
• 4.5 billion years
• 6 billion years
• 1 billion years

Multiple Choice

Epochs are found in what part of the Geologic Time Scale?

• Epochs
• Periods
• Eons
• Ages

Multiple Choice

What did geologists use to develop the geologic time scale?

• Volcanic activity and earthquakes
• Rock layers and fossils
• Ocean currents and tides
• Meteorological data and climate patterns

Multiple Choice

What type of fossils were found in younger rock layers?

• Fossils of organisms that lived millions of years ago.
• Fossils that are exclusively marine species.
• Fossils of ancient, simple organisms.
• Fossils of more recent organisms, often more complex and diverse.

Multiple Choice

What phenomenon helped geologists mark divisions in geologic time?

• Sudden changes in rock color

• Changes in rock texture

• Changes in rock density

• Sudden changes in fossil types

Multiple Choice

Why are the units in the geologic time scale unequal?

• Because of varying lengths between changes

• Due to measurement errors

• Due to technological limitations

• Because of random selection

Multiple Choice

What can cause mass extinctions?

• Catastrophic events

• Climate change

• Habitat destruction,

• Changes in sea levels.

• All answers are correct.

Multiple Choice

What was the proof that meteorites caused the dinosaurs to become extinct?

• Volcanic eruptions were the sole cause of dinosaur extinction with a large impact area.

• Dinosaurs went extinct due to climate change alone. It blocked the atmosphere and got cooler.

• Meteorites caused the extinction due to a massive impact & by iridium-rich clay

• Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction by early mammals. They caused them to disappear.

Multiple Choice

What happens when populations become geographically isolated?

• Populations become extinct due to isolation. They cannot adjust to their surroundings

• Geographic isolation can lead to populations evolving independently.

• Geographic isolation has no effect on populations. They can live independently.

• Isolated populations always merge back together. The mutations help them adapt.

Multiple Choice

What role do tectonic plates play in evolution?

• Tectonic plates are responsible for climate change.

• They can cause populations to separate or join

• Tectonic plates only affect ocean currents

• Tectonic plates have no impact on species

Multiple Choice

How old are the oldest recorded fossils?

• Approximately 3.5 billion years old
• Roughly 2.5 billion years old
• About 600 million years old

• Approximately 1 billion years old