Mystery Fossil

Which of the following statements illustrate how fossils record the evolution of defensive mechanisms over time?

• Fossils after the Precambrian period show evidence of legs and eyes, indicating that the presence of predators stimulated the beginning of defensive mechanisms.

• Fossils that are found in cold arctic environments are known to belong to an animal species that once lived in non-arctic environments.

• Many marine fossils have high contents of silica and calcium, which indicate the use of these materials to enhance the strength of the organisms.

• Fossil body parts of an animal and its location of excavation confirm that these animal species underwent minimal adaptations from one period to another.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Turtles, alligators, and crocodiles are thought to be related to dinosaurs. What is the main source of evidence that scientists use to show this relationship and how these organisms may have changed over time?

• direct observation

• hair and skin samples

• photographs of dinosaurs

• fossil records

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What conclusion can be made if two or more organisms look similar during development?

• They share a common ancestor from long ago.

• They have evolved from each other over time.

• The traits are just a random occurrence.

• The organisms evolved at the same time.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

When scientists analyze the fossil record, they find organisms that are similar to some organisms of today with noticeable changes. How does this help scientists to interpret the past?

• It doesn't help them at all.

• It allows them to see how organisms have changed over time.

• It allows them to see how organisms have remained the same over time.

• It allows them to see that there is no relationship between the past and today.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of these scenarios describes the effect of isolation on the evolution of species?

• They all evolved separately from each other over hundreds of years.

• The break-up of the supercontinent Pangaea separated members of a species onto two different continents. Each group evolved in such a way that they eventually became two different species.

• Human development in a certain ecosystem separates members of a population. One group travels around the development to reunite with the other group. The population then migrates to a different area.

• Differences in behavior can isolate populations, such as when groups of a bird population inhabit different trees in a forest.

Fossil evidence leads scientists to believe that over millions of years, Equus (horses) went from having three toes on each foot to having hooves. What theory supports this idea?

• Theory of Evolution

• Cell Theory

• Atomic Theory

• Theory of Spontaneous Generation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Monkeys and humans share a common ancestor. Which of these traits was mostly likely present in the adult form of that organism?

• gills

• hair

• fins

• blowhole

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Scientists believe that over millions of years lungfish changed to become the first amphibians. What evidence do scientists use to support this idea?

• direct observation

• data collected by early humans

• fossil evidence

• the shape of rock formations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of these would be the best thing for scientists to examine if they wanted to see if two organisms had a common ancestor?

• A. They would look at the larval forms of the organisms.

• B. They would look at what the organisms liked to eat.

• C. They would look at how the organisms reproduced.

• D. They would look at how the organisms migrated to new locations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

A biologist is investigating how a living organism is related to an extinct species. Which of these is NOT a piece of evidence that would be beneficial when establishing a common ancestry?

• They all evolved separately from each other over hundreds of years.

• where each of the organisms was able to make shelter

• what the living organism and its relatives look like during development

• what physical structures both organisms have in common

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3