Evolutionary Patterns and Processes Quiz

What do fossils reveal about the ecosystems in which the organisms once existed? Include an example.

• Fossils reveal the social structure of the organisms. For example, the arrangement of fossilized nests can indicate the social behavior of ancient animals.

• Fossils reveal the climate of the ecosystem. For example, the presence of certain plant fossils can indicate a warm, tropical climate.

• Fossils reveal the behavior of the organisms. For example, the footprints of ancient animals can indicate their movement patterns.

• Fossils reveal the genetic makeup of the organisms. For example, the DNA of ancient organisms can be extracted from fossils.

How is relative dating of fossils different from absolute dating?

• Relative dating places fossils in order from oldest to newest, while absolute dating gives the exact age of the fossil in years.

• Relative dating uses radioactive isotopes, while absolute dating uses index fossils.

• Relative dating is more accurate than absolute dating.

• Relative dating provides an exact age of the fossil, while absolute dating provides a range of possible ages.

How does geologic time compare to the time scales we use in everyday life?

• Geologic time is much shorter than the time scales we use in everyday life.

• Geologic time is irrelevant to the time scales we use in everyday life.

• Geologic time is much longer than the time scales we use in everyday life.

• Geologic time is about the same as the time scales we use in everyday life.

Explain how life both has been affected by geologic change and has affected geologic change.

• Life has been affected by geologic change through the movement of tectonic plates, and has affected geologic change through the process of radiometric dating.

• Life has been affected by geologic change through the emergence of new habitats, and has affected geologic change through the process of natural selection.

• Life has been affected by geologic change through changes in climate, and has affected geologic change through the process of photosynthesis.

• Life has been affected by geologic change through changes in the atmosphere, and has affected geologic change through the process of extinction.

Evaluate Reasoning Using radiometric dating, the age of a sedimentary rock in a rock layer is dated to 530 million years ago. A science student concludes that the fossils in the rock layer are also 530 million years old. Explain whether or not this conclusion is reasonable.

• The conclusion is reasonable because radiometric dating is always accurate.

• The conclusion is not reasonable because radiometric dating cannot be used on fossils.

• The conclusion is not reasonable because the age of the rock layer and the fossils can be different.

• The conclusion is reasonable because the age of the rock layer and the fossils are always the same.

Construct an Explanation Earth’s climate has changed many times throughout its long history. How does continental climates change as a result of continental drift?

• Continental drift causes continental climates to become more stable.

• Continental drift causes continental climates to change as the positions of the continents change.

• Continental drift has no effect on continental climates.

• Continental drift causes continental climates to become more extreme.

What patterns describe the sequential nature of groups in the fossil record?

• The patterns of adaptation and natural selection describe the sequential nature of groups in the fossil record.

• The patterns of macroevolution and coevolution describe the sequential nature of groups in the fossil record.

• The patterns of extinction and speciation describe the sequential nature of groups in the fossil record.

• The patterns of stasis and rapid change describe the sequential nature of groups in the fossil record.

What does the fossil record show about periods of stasis and rapid change?

• The fossil record shows that periods of stasis are always followed by periods of rapid change.

• The fossil record shows that periods of stasis and rapid change occur randomly and are not related.

• The fossil record shows that periods of stasis and rapid change are common and can occur in any order.

• The fossil record shows that periods of stasis and rapid change are not common.

What are two patterns of macroevolution?

• The two patterns of macroevolution are stasis and rapid change.

• The two patterns of macroevolution are convergent evolution and coevolution.

• The two patterns of macroevolution are extinction and speciation.

• The two patterns of macroevolution are adaptation and natural selection.

What evolutionary characteristics are typical of coevolving species?

• Coevolving species typically have no effect on each other's evolution.

• Coevolving species typically have a competitive relationship.

• Coevolving species typically have a predator-prey relationship.

• Coevolving species typically have a mutualistic or antagonistic relationship.