evolution

According to fossil records, the horses that lived 50 million years ago were much smaller, weaker and slower than modern horses. Which process is most likely responsible for the changes that have led to the increased size, strength, and speed in horses?

• commensalism
• inbreeding
• migration
• evolution by natural selection

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Scientists have found evidence that about 2.4 million years ago a gene regulating jaw muscles mutated and may have led to the more graceful human jaw we see today. The diagram below shows the skulls of 3 hominid species.Which statement below most closely explains the link between jaw size and hominid evolution? 

• The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time. 
• The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time. 
• There appears to be no change in the jaws of hominids over time.
• The jaws of hominids changed over time due to a change in brain size. 
  

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

 The diagram represents the relationship between beak structure and food in several species of finches found on the Galapagos Islands. The different beak structures observed in the diagram are evidence of

•  different species of finches adapting to different environments over many generations
•  finches changing their beak characteristics so that they could feed efficiently
• finch species with different beak structures coming to the Galapagos Islands from the mainland
•  finches mating with birds of other species and acquiring some of their traits

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following can be learned by using the fossil record?

• When organisms changed or evolved

• when organisms appeared on Earth

• when organisms became extinct

• All the above

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which layer formed first?

• Rock Layer W
• Rock Layer X
• Rock Layer Y
• Rock Layer Z

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

If scientists found this fossil, what could they infer?

• what fish are like today

• that this fish lacked oxygen

• that water once covered the area where this fossil was found

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Fossils of fish are found under land where cows now live. What does this tell you?

• the fish were dropped their by flying birds

• this land was once under the ocean

• fish used to live on land

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which layer contains the oldest fossil?

• Layer 1

• Layer 2

• Layer 3

• Layer 4

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Organisms D and C clearly lived in an aquatic (water) environment. Organism A does not look like it lived in the water. What is the most likely explanation for this?

• The fossil in layer A died on land and was carried to the water

• The fossils in layer C and D did not live in the same location as the fossil in layer A

• The environment changed over a long period of time. It used to be under water, but is not anymore

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2