Evidence of Evolution: Fossils, Comparative Morphology, Embryolo

On the left is an illustration where the objects in Level 7 are closest to the surface and the objects in Level 1 are deepest in the ground.

Which rock layer is the oldest?

• Level 7
• Level 5
• Level 3
• Level 1

Answer explanation

When studying objects or fossils, scientists assume that deeper is older. This almost always turns out to be true.

Which rock layer is the youngest?

• The topmost rock layer
• The rock layer in the middle
• The bottom rock layer
• The middle rock layer

Explain what scientists are able to learn about evolution when comparing different fossils in different rock layers? Use these three terms in your answer: related*, extinction**, and transition***. You must write at least two complete sentences.

Law of Superposition

Examine the contents of the wastebasket pictured to the right. The wastebasket is emptied every day after school. The contents of the wastebasket have been collected during a single school day.

Identify one item that was discarded early in the morning. Explain how you know.

Identify one item that was discarded around noon. How do you know?

• Wadded Paper

• Paper Towels

• A banana skin

• Pencil Sharpenings

Identify one item that was discarded near the end of the day. Explain how you know.

The two pictures on this page are examples of the “law of superposition.” Summarize the “law of superposition.”

• Rocks are arranged by color
• Oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top
• The law of superposition does not exist
• Youngest rocks are at the bottom and the oldest rocks are at the top

Define homologous structures.

Use the page at https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_09 to help you.

Define analogous structures.

Use the page at https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_09 to help you.

A bat wing, bird wing, and a butterfly wing are said to be analogous. Explain why. Use https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_09 to help you.