Evolution: Fossils

Multiple Choice

A change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

• mutation

• fitness

• transformation

Multiple Choice

Lifeforms on early Earth were very different than they are today. For instance, the first forms of life were:

• Anaerobic & Prokaryotic

• Aerobic & Prokaryotic

• Anaerobic & Eukaryotic

• Aerobic & Eukaryotic

Multiple Choice

The Endosymbiotic Theory describes:

• the evolution of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells

• the evolution of multicellular organisms from unicellular organisms

• the evolution of photosynthetic organelles

• the evolution of the first anaerobic prokaryotes

Multiple Choice

What statement is true about fossils?

• Some living things have not really changed in millions of years.

• All living organisms leave behind fossils.

• Fossils show that camels never change.

• Plant fossils have never changed.

Multiple Choice

If a scientist found a fish fossil in the desert, what can they infer?

• An animal ate the fish.

• Today's fish looks the same

• That water covered the area long ago.

• The fish is endangered.

Multiple Choice

Fossil A is an ancient mollusk, an organism that needs water to survive. Why do you think that the mollusk went extinct in this particular sample of the fossil record?

• When the ocean levels rose in layer 4, the mollusk went extinct because they cannot live in water

• For some reason, the ocean disappeared causing the mollusk to thrive

• For some reason, the ocean disappeared causing the mollusk to go extinct

• When the ocean level rose in layer 4, the mollusk thrived because they need water

Multiple Choice

Which rock layer contains the newest fossils?

• F
• E
• B
• C

Multiple Choice

What are the oldest fossils and why?

• B, C- because they are closest to the top

• A, B- because they are closest to the bottom

• They are all the same age- because they are all found on layer 2

• A, B- because they are found closest to the top

Multiple Choice

In the model are rock strata and fossils. The fish fossil is in the first layer of the rock strata, is this the youngest or oldest fossil in these rock strata layers?

• Youngest

• Oldest

Multiple Choice

Scientists theorize that the ancient horse on the left is related to the modern horse on the right. The scientists theorize that the horse has gone through many changes over time. How did the scientists conclude that the animal changed over time?

• by examining fossil records

• by learning about natural selection

• by studying deposition of sediments

• by observing different types of rock formations

Multiple Choice

A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based on fossil evidence. Which is the BEST conclusion that can be made from comparing the diagrams?

(Model Description: The first elephant ancestor is 50 million years old and very small, the second elephant ancestor is 30 million years old and much larger. The trunk is also short. The last ancestor is 20 million years old and taller, but shorter width wise. The trunk is also longer.)

• Ancient elephants were better adapted than modern elephants.

• Elephant habitats have remained the same over time.

• Elephant fossil evidence is widespread and complete.

• Elephant species have changed over time.