Fossil Evidence of Evolution (Lesson 1)

In an undisturbed rock formation, the rocks on the bottom are the oldest.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement in the question is indeed true. In an undisturbed rock formation, the principle of superposition applies. This principle states that in any undisturbed sequence of rocks deposited in layers, the youngest layer is on top and the oldest on bottom, each layer being younger than the one beneath it and older than the one above it. Therefore, the rocks on the bottom are the oldest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What type of dating scale is shown on the left side of the figure?

• Relative Age Dating Scale

• Absolute Age Dating Scale

Answer explanation

The question asks about the type of dating scale shown on the left side of a figure. The correct answer is 'Relative Age Dating Scale'. This indicates that the figure is using a scale that compares the age of items or events in relation to other items or events, rather than providing a specific numerical age.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What type of dating scale is shown on the right side of the figure?

• Relative Age Dating Scale

• Absolute Age Dating Scale

Answer explanation

The question asks about the type of dating scale shown on the right side of a figure. The correct answer is 'Absolute Age Dating Scale'. This indicates that the scale shown in the figure is used to determine the exact age of geological features or events, rather than their relative ages.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following is NOT a fossil?

• outline of a fern found in a rock

• petrified wood in the desert

• baby mammoth found in a glacier

• old stone tools found in a cave

Answer explanation

The question asks which of the given options is not a fossil. Fossils are remains or impressions of prehistoric plants or animals preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock. The outline of a fern found in a rock, petrified wood in the desert, and a baby mammoth found in a glacier are all examples of fossils. However, old stone tools found in a cave are not fossils, but rather artifacts left by early humans.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

In the trash can in Isaac’s room, there were many wrappers from snacks. At the bottom of the trash, there was a candy bar wrapper. In the middle, there was a piece of plastic from a slice of cheese. On top of the rest of the trash is a granola bar wrapper.

Assuming the trash has never been mixed up, which snack did Isaac eat the longest ago? Which type of dating did you use to answer?

• the granola bar; absolute-age dating

• the granola bar; relative-age dating

• the candy bar; absolute-age dating

• the candy bar; relative-age dating

Answer explanation

The question describes the order of snack wrappers in Isaac's trash can. The candy bar wrapper is at the bottom, indicating it was eaten first. This is a form of relative-age dating, where the sequence of events is determined without knowing the exact dates. Therefore, the candy bar is the snack Isaac ate the longest ago, and the method used to determine this is relative-age dating.

When the last individual of a species dies, that species is considered ____

• adapted

• rare

• extinct

• evolved

Answer explanation

When the last individual of a species dies, that species is considered extinct. This is because there are no more living members of that species, and it can no longer reproduce or continue its existence. The other options, adapted, rare, and evolved, do not accurately describe the situation when the last individual of a species dies.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Change in a population over time is called _____.

• conservation

• evolution

• extinction

• mutation

Answer explanation

Evolution refers to the change in a population's genetic composition over time. It occurs through processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Conservation, extinction, and mutation are related concepts, but they do not specifically describe the change in a population over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Order the fossils according to their relative age from oldest to youngest.

• 1,2,3,4,5

• 5,4,3,2,1

• 5,3,4,1,2

• 2,1,4,3,5

Answer explanation

The correct order of fossils according to their relative age from oldest to youngest is 5, 3, 4, 1, 2. This sequence represents the proper arrangement of the fossils based on their age, with the oldest fossil being first and the youngest fossil being last.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A scientist studied sedimentary rock samples from the Devonian period. He claimed he found mammal fossils mixed with amphibian fossils.

Which response to the scientist’s claim is most supported by the chart?

• Devonian rocks are too old to contain amphibian fossils.

• Finding fossils of any kind in rocks from the Devonian period is unusual.

• Devonian rocks would not contain mammal fossils, because mammals appeared in later time periods.

• Mammal fossils and amphibian fossils will not be found in Devonian rocks, because the two types of animals live in different habitats.

Answer explanation

The correct response is that Devonian rocks would not contain mammal fossils, because mammals appeared in later time periods. The Devonian period predates the appearance of mammals, so it would be highly unlikely for mammal fossils to be found alongside amphibian fossils in rocks from this time period.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What term do scientists use to describe what happened at each of the marked points on the graph?

• Mass Extinction

• Minor Extinction

• There is no name for this

Answer explanation

The term 'Mass Extinction' is used by scientists to describe significant reductions in the earth's biodiversity, as indicated by the marked points on the graph. This term is chosen over 'Minor Extinction' because the impact is substantial, and it's not correct to say 'There is no name for this' as the phenomenon is well-recognized and named in scientific literature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1