U4L3 Fossils are Evidence of Changes in Life over Time

Which of these is not a significant discovery that Charles Walcott made in the Burgess Shale?

• well-preserved land organisms

• soft tissues of organisms preserved in great detail

• fossils over 500 million years old

• the remains of an ancient ocean

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientists use evidence from their findings to support theories of life on earth. Which of these findings could not be used to provide supporting evidence that life on earth has changed over time?

• increasing complexity of fossils in younger rock layers

• increasing diversity of fossils in rock layers following an extinction

• transitional fossils

• rock layers with no fossils

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

At one time, several kinds of camels lived in Florida. The evidence comes from fossils found in Florida. Which object would be a fossil that shows that camels once lived in Florida?

• a sinkhole formed by a retreating glacier

• sedimentary rock that formed a long time ago

• a crystal formation suspended from the ceiling of a cave

• remains of an organism preserved by geologic processes

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of these best describes the tiny leg bones that some whales have, which do not aid in their movement or serve any other function?

• structures that grow and improve in function as they are used

• structures that will become adaptations when the environment changes

• structures that are a remnant of the adaptations that the whale’s ancestors needed to survive on land

• structures that function at certain times of the year or under certain conditions

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

An area where a particular plant has thrived for 50 million years suffers a 100-year-long drought. What evidence of the drought might be found in the fossil record?

• Fossils of the plant are abundant right up until the present day.

• Fossils of the plant appear in recent rock layers but not in older ones.

• Fossils of the plant are present in older rocks but disappear at a point in the fossil record.

• It is impossible for the fossil record to show evidence of the drought.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Give two examples from the fossil record that show evidence of change in the complexity of organisms over time. (there is more than 1 correct answer)

• The fossil record shows the first organisms were single-celled.

• Seed plants lived 375 mya, and flowering plants followed 160 mya.

• Early organisms did not have feet and lungs; the fossil record shows that originally animals were adapted only to aquatic life.

• Jawless fish appear about 500 million years ago, but fish with jaws appear in the record afterward, about 400 million years ago.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Define extinction and explain how the fossil record can give evidence of an extinction event. (Select 2)

• An extinction is when a species dies out and there are no members of the species left on earth.

• An extinction is when a species changes over time as seen in fossil records.

• The fossil record shows evidence of an extinction when newer sedimentary rock layers no longer contain fossils of a particular organism or a group of similar organisms.

• The fossil record shows evidence of when water levels drop and rise due to droughts and rainfall.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Describe the evidence of changes in organisms in the Cambrian Era that are reflected in the fossil record. (pick 3)

• In the Precambrian era, only single-celled life existed on Earth.

• During the Cambrian explosion, scientists have found a huge increase in the number and types of fossils in the rock layers.

• Fossils found during the Cambrian explosion are more complex organisms, such as arthropods, and are more diverse than anything seen in earlier fossil layers.

• The Cambrian Era is the only era where fossils are found.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which event marks the beginning of the Cambrian Era?

• formation of Earth

• extinction of the dinosaurs

• first animals with exoskeletons appear

• largest mass extinction event in Earth’s history

Which event have scientists proposed can be attributed to volcanic eruptions, a drop in sea levels and a possible large asteroid or comet strike?

• formation of Earth

• extinction of the dinosaurs

• end of the last glacial period

• early human ancestors appear

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1