Variation and Fossils

Many species that lived in the past no longer exist today. So how do we know about them?

• Books

• Internet

• Word-of-Mouth

• Fossils

Organisms with traits that are best suited for their environments are likely to have a greater chance for survival. These helpful traits, which arise due to genetic mutations, are known as _____________________.

• Mutation

• Adaptations

• Natural Selection

• Evolution

All living things that are best adapted to their environments will be more likely to survive. This idea is known as _____________________ ____________________.

• Mutation

• Adaptations

• Natural Selection

• Evolution

In 1859, Charles Darwin proposed a theory based on the concept of natural selection. His theory explains the evidence of the gradual changes of all organisms over millions of years. This theory is known as the Theory of __________________.

• Mutation

• Adaptations

• Natural Selection

• Evolution

Why is relative dating useful? What does it tell scientists?

• It tells scientists the exact, precise age of specimens.

• It tells scientists the approximate age of specimens, compared to other known examples.

• Scientists rarely use relative dating.

• Relative dating is the best way to learn about Earth's history.

An inability to adapt to environmental changes can lead to death of all members of a species. This is called _______________________.

• Expatriation

• Examination

• Extermination

• Extinction

What is another name for natural selection?

• survival of the smartest
• survival of the fastest
• survival of the biggest
• survival of the fittest

What is a change in an organism that allows for it to survive in its environment?

• filtration

• mutation

• variation

• adaptation

What is an organism that has similar characteristics and can reproduce?

• species
• organism
• embryology
• vestigial 

What is this an example of?

• diversity of species
• variation
• vestigial structures
• DNA studies