Evolution and Fossils

What is Darwin's theory of evolution?

• All species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations.

• Evolution is driven by individual choice

• Species remain unchanged over time

• Evolution is a random process

Explain how adaptations in organisms contribute to their survival.

• Adaptations in organisms have no impact on their survival

• Adaptations in organisms make them more vulnerable to predators

• Adaptations in organisms lead to their extinction

• Adaptations in organisms contribute to their survival by helping them better suit their environment, increasing their chances of finding food, avoiding predators, reproducing, and thriving in their habitat.

What are some examples of evidence for natural selection?

• Genetic drift, artificial selection, gene flow

• Fossil records, observed changes in populations, vestigial structures

What is relative dating and how is it used in paleontology?

• Relative dating relies on radioactive decay to estimate the age of fossils.

• Relative dating involves studying the behavior of living organisms in the past.

• Relative dating is a method used in paleontology to estimate the age of fossils and rocks by comparing them to other materials.

• Relative dating is a method used in paleontology to determine the absolute age of fossils.

How does radioactive dating help determine the age of fossils?

• Radioactive dating counts the number of legs on the fossil to determine its age.

• Radioactive dating analyzes the smell of the fossil to determine its age.

• Radioactive dating measures the color of the fossil to determine its age.

• Radioactive dating compares the ratio of radioactive isotopes to stable isotopes in a fossil to determine its age.

How does natural selection lead to the evolution of species?

• Natural selection leads to the evolution of species by random mutations

• Natural selection leads to the evolution of species by promoting weaker traits

• Natural selection leads to the evolution of species by preventing any change

• Natural selection leads to the evolution of species by favoring beneficial traits that increase survival and reproduction.

Describe a specific adaptation in plants and how it helps them survive.

• Plants with heavy fruits survive by attracting animals to disperse their seeds.

• Plants with no roots can survive by absorbing water through their leaves.

• Deep root systems help plants survive in dry conditions by accessing water and nutrients from the soil.

• Shallow root systems help plants survive in dry conditions by accessing water and nutrients from the surface.

What are some limitations of using relative dating in determining the age of fossils?

• Dependence on fossil location

• Use of radioactive isotopes

• Inaccuracy due to climate change

• Limitations of using relative dating include lack of precision, reliance on the law of superposition, susceptibility to geological processes, and potential gaps in deposition.

Why is the fossil record important in understanding evolution?

• The fossil record is important in understanding evolution because it provides physical evidence of past life forms and the changes in species over time.

• The fossil record is important in understanding evolution because it is a complete and flawless record of all species that ever existed.

• The fossil record is important in understanding evolution because it only includes fossils of extinct species.

• The fossil record is important in understanding evolution because it shows that species never change over time.

Explain how the process of fossilization occurs and why it is rare.

• Fossilization occurs when organisms are eaten by predators, leaving behind their remains.

• Fossilization occurs when an organism is buried in sediment, preventing decomposition. Over time, minerals replace the organic material, creating a fossil. It is rare because specific conditions like quick burial, lack of oxygen, and presence of minerals are needed for fossilization to happen.

• Fossilization occurs when organisms are exposed to sunlight, causing them to turn into fossils.

• Fossilization is rare because it only happens in areas with high levels of oxygen.