Fossil Record and Biogeography

Which of the following terms is the science of dating materials, like rocks, based on how much of a radioactive element it contains today.

• Radiometric dating

• Stratigraphy

• Geology

• Fossilography

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which of the following terms is the science of dating fossils based on what rock layer they are found in?

• Radiometric dating

• Stratigraphy

• Geology

• Fossilography

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The K-T Cretaceous-Paleocene ​ (a)   rock contains large amounts of the element Iridium which is very rare on Earth and would not normally be present in large quantities. ​ (b)   are rich in this element. A large percentage of organisms ​ (c)   this line are no longer present above the line. ​ (d)   the line we see a large amount of new species. This suggests a ​ (e)   has occurred at this location in the geologic record.

• boundary
• asteroids
• below
• above
• mass extinction event
• sedimentary
• climate change
• rock layer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

In which layer did fossil C come into existence? How do you know this?

• Layer 1-Because that is the layer it is first seen

• Layer 1- Because that is the last layer it is seen in

• Layer 2- Because that is the layer it is first seen

• Layer 2- Because that is the last layer it is seen in

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Fossil A is an ancient mollusk, an organism that needs water to survive. Why do you think that the mollusk went extinct in this particular sample of the fossil record?

• When the ocean levels rose in layer 4, the mollusk went extinct because they cannot live in water

• For some reason, the ocean disappeared causing the mollusk to thrive

• For some reason, the ocean disappeared causing the mollusk to go extinct

• When the ocean level rose in layer 4, the mollusk thrived because they need water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Why are similar fossils found all over the world?

• The animals swam to new parts of the world before going extinct

• The land masses were once connected

• The organisms were transported to different areas of the world

• They are not similar fossils.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Fossils of plants and animals suited for a warmer environment have been found in Antarctica. What does that suggest about how the movement of Antarctica affected its environment?

• It was colder at one point, before it moved

• It was warmer at one point, before it moved

• The organisms migrated to Antarctica after it moved

• People planted the fossils

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

When a fossil is found in Africa, and the same type of fossil is found in South America, what might scientists conclude? select all that apply

• The animal swam from one continent to the other

• Africa and South America were connected at some point

• The fossil is from a mammal

• If one of them is an index fossil (a fossil that can be associated with a specific time) then it can be used to determine the date of the other fossil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

How does the fossil record provide evidence for evolution?

• Finding the age of fossils (through radioactive dating) shows the earth is very old - showing there was enough time for natural selection to occur

• Similar fossils can be found on different continents, thus showing the continents were connected once and thus showing how species changed as their environments changed when the continents moved

• Some fossils show species that show the transition from one known ancestor to a known modern day species

• Fossil don't provide evidence for evolution.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2