Unit 3 Earth History, Fossils, Comparative Anatomy and Evolution

A geologist identifies the identical index fossils in rock layers from 2 different areas, Which conclusion is best supported by this discovery?

• The deposition rate of the 2 rock layers are identical.

• The fossil organism evolved

• The 2 rock layers were deposited at approximately the same time.

• The index fossil will also occur in sediment deposited on top of these rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which supports the theory that some mountains were once at the bottom of an ocean?

• There are underwater mountains on the ocean floor today.

• Freshwater rivers flow to the ocean.

• Fossils of marine organisms are found on the tops of some mountains.

• Both mountains and ocean floors have similar minerals and rocks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which evidence supports the idea that life on earth has continually evolved?

• Evidence from layers of tree rings

• Evidence from rock layers, fossils and ice cores

• evidence gathered from melting glaciers

• Evidence that the climate has changed over the past 100 years

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which would most likely increase the genetic variation in a population of organisms?

• increase in diseases

• decrease in diseases

• increase in mutations

• decrease in mutations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Which is the most accurate method scientists use to predict the age of earth?

• relative dating of rock layers

• radioactive dating of rocks

• comparing the age of different fossils

• investigating core samples from the Artic

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

What is the best reason for scientists to study ice cores obtained from earth's ice caps?

• to evaluate potential oil drilling sites

• to study the quakity of water stored in glaciers

• to determine the rate of melting in polar regions

• to study past climates by analyzing trapped gasses and particles

Which is the best evidence for evolution?

• new rock layers contain fossils of simple organisms

• the rock layers containing fossils unlike existing organisms

• old rock layers containing fossils unlike existing organisms

• old rock layers containing fossils of complex organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which best explains why mammals became dominant after the mass extinction of the dinosaurs?

• They had traits that helped them adapt to environmental changes

• They were larger than dinosaurs and they ate different foods

• They lived on different areas of earth than dinosaurs

• They were able to hibernate for thousands of years

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which demonstrates how genetic variation may result from a change in the environment where the animal lives?

• A salmon swims faster as it renters cold water

• A snake increases its body temperature because it moves on top of a rock in direct sunlight

• A beetle stands out to predators because it moves among plants that have colors different from its own

• An artic fox changes its color over time because it migrates to an area whith a different climate

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which is the most accurate way of determining the age of a fossil?

• radioactive dating

• relative dating

• dating index fossils

• dating the rock layers above the fossil