Fossils and Environment (Choice Board)

Take a look at the layer of Earth and the fossils in each layer. The fossils show us that life forms changed in an area. Compare the oldest forms to the newest. What can you say about the change in environment?

• There was no change in the environment over time.

• The environment changed from underwater to land.

• The environment changed from salt water to fresh water.

• The environment changed from land to salt water.

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What happens to organisms that cannot adapt to environmental change?

• The population stays the same.

• The population increases.

• The biodiversity of the ecosystem increases.

• The organisms go extinct.

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The diagram shows changes within a herd of deer over many hundreds of years. Which statement best explains why some deer that went to the mountains survived and others did not?

• The deer with the thicker fur were able to survive because they were smaller and could hide in the snow more easily.

• The deer with the thicker fur were able to survive because they could digest food faster in the mountains.

• The deer with the thicker fur were able to survive because they could withstand the cold weather in the mountains.

• The deer with the thicker fur were able to survive because they could reproduce in the summer.

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The picture shows two mice called pocket mice. Pocket mice can be born with either light-colored fur or dark-colored fur. A group of pocket mice lives in a habitat where there is light sandy soil and dark lava rocks. Mice with light-colored fur blend in with the light sandy soil. Mice with dark-colored fur blend in with the dark lava rocks. Which habitat change would most likely benefit mice with dark-colored fur and not help mice with light-colored fur?

• Light sandy soil becomes very dry because of direct sunlight.

• Light sandy soil blows around in the wind and covers up dark lava rocks.

• Dark lava rocks break into small piece from weathering.

• Lava erupts from a volcano and then hardens into large areas of dark lava rocks.

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Look at the picture above. Gazelle 2 has short legs instead of the normal long legs that Gazelle 1 has. Which best describes how having shorter legs will affect Gazelle 2?

• Shorter legs will have a positive effect because the gazelle will be able to run faster to escape from predators.

• Shorter legs will have a negative effect because the gazelle will not be able to run as fast and will be easier for predators to catch.

• Shorter legs will have a positive effect because the gazelle will be able to drink and store more water.

• Shorter legs will have a negative effect because the gazelle will not be able to drink enough water to survive.

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Scientists discovered fossil evidence of mesohippus an ancestor of the modern horse. Mesohippus lived in North America about 40 million years ago. Mesohippus was about two feet tall, ran on hooves with three toes and had large, grinding teeth. It is believed that these early horses lived in the thick forests. What may have helped horses change over the last 40 million years?

• The coming and going of several ice ages.

• Being captured and used for work, pulling wagons and riding.

• A change in their food from trees to grass in the Great Plains

• An increase in weight.

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The snowshoe rabbit has white fun in winter and dark fur in summer. What is the main survival advantage of this fur color change to the rabbit?

• The fur color is an adaptive form of camouflage to avoid predators.

• The light fur keeps the rabbit from getting sunburned in the summer.

• The dark fur absorbs more sunlight so the rabbit in warmer in the winter.

• The white fur is more valuables to fur trappers, so the animal will be trapped and better fed in the winter.

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This cactus can be found in the desert. It has several adaptations for survival. One adaptation is its thorns. Why would a cactus have thorns?

• To store water

• To hold the plan still in the sand

• To make food

• For protection from animals

Scientists study a fossil of an extinct fish. The scientists compare the extinct fish to fish that are living today. Which is the best conclusion scientists can make about the extinct fish?

• The extinct fish could live for many years, similar to some fish that are living today.

• The extinct fish had many predators similar to make fish that are living today.

• The extinct fish had fins on its body similar to the fins on many fish that are living today.

• The extinct fish had stripes on its skin similar to the stripes on some fish that are living today.

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Scientists have found many fossil remains of an animal called an ammonite. This organism lived millions of years ago, but is now extinct. The octopus is a living relative of the ammonite. What conclusion can be drawn based on the pictures of the animals?

• Fossils are not helpful in learning which organisms might be related.

• Organisms living today will probably be extinct in ten years.

• Organisms living today may be similar to organisms that lived long ago.

• Organisms living today have nothing in common with organisms that lived long ago.

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