Evolution and Genetics Quiz

The diagram shows a geologic cross section of rock layers in a region. Which geologic event happened most recently?

• folding of rock layers W, Y, and X

• faulting of rock layers V, W, Y, and X

• intrusion of rock layer Y

• intrusion of igneous rock Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which fact provides the best evidence for the biological theory of evolution?

• Most fossils are found in sedimentary rock.

• Most species of life on Earth have become extinct.

• Characteristics of simpler life forms can be found in more complex life forms.

• Only a small percentage of living things have been preserved in fossils.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The Mesosaurus was a fresh water reptile that existed on Earth about 250 million years ago. Fossils of the reptile can be found today in some rock layers in both Africa and South America as shown on the map below in locations X and Y.Which reason best explains why fossils of this animal are found on both continents today?

• The ocean between the two continents was once frozen, and the Mesosaurus traveled across the ice.

• The continents were once joined together as a single land mass.

• The Mesosaurus swam across the ocean due to its migration.

• During a sea level rise and floods fossil remains of the Mesosaurus were carried across the oceans between the two continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Study the skeletal arrangements of the three winged organisms. Which term describes the structures of the pterosaur, the bat, and the bird?

• tectonic structures

• homologous structures

• heterozygous structures

• analogous structures

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The table shows the dominant life forms of different eras based on the geological time scale. Which statement is supported by the table?

• Mesozoic era can be considered "the age of reptiles."

• Paleozoic era can be considered as "the age of vertebrates."

• The mass extinction of reptiles occurred during the Cenozoic era.

• The mass extinction of invertebrates occurred in the Mesozoic era.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is the meaning of the term “half-life”?

• The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms to decay

• The time it takes for all of the radioactive atoms to decay

• The process where atoms of one element break down to form atoms of another element

• The time when an igneous rock first hardens to become rock

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which best describes how ice cores are important to the study of geologic history?

• They show unconformities, which signal changes in deposition.

• They hold index fossils, which are used to date the different ice cores.

• They follow the Law of Superposition, which gives reasons for extinctions of species.

• They contain evidence showing changes in the atmospheric composition over time.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?

• Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth’s age, much like the rings of a tree.

• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.

• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.

• Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The shaded areas of this diagram represent where fossils of a land-dwelling animal were found on the continents of South America and Africa. What does this evidence suggest?

• The animals swam from one continent to another.

• The two continents were once connected by a land bridge.

• The animals developed on the two continents at the same time.

• The two continents were once joined as part of a larger continent.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

This diagram show a cross section of land that has not been disturbed and includes a fossil. What can be concluded about the age of the fossil?

• It is younger than the shale.

• It is older than the shale.

• It is older than the sandstone.

• It is younger than the sandstone.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3