Unit 4: Evolution. 2

What is the primary aim of studying the concept of evolution?

• To understand the concept of evolution, recognize the evidence to support evolution, and identify mass extinction events in Earth’s history to understand changing selection pressures

• To memorize the names of all extinct species

• To learn about the history of human evolution only

• To understand the chemical composition of fossils

What are fossils?

• Artificially created models of ancient creatures

• Preserved traces or remains of an organism

• Living organisms

• Minerals found in rocks

What can relative dating tell us about a fossil?

• Its exact age

• Its chemical composition

• The species it belongs to

• An idea of how old it is

What is an index fossil?

• A fossil that is found only in one location

• A distinctive, abundant fossil with a wide geographic distribution over a relatively short geological period of time

• A fossil that is always found in the deepest strata

• A fossil that is used to determine the chemical composition of rocks

How can isotopes and half-lives be used in geology?

• To find the location of oil reserves

• To measure the temperature of ancient climates

• To identify the species of a fossil

• To determine the age of rocks

What is the relative age?

• The exact age of a fossil

• The age of a fossil in millions of years

• The age of a fossil based on its chemical composition

• An expression of the geologic age of a fossil organism, rock, geologic feature or event, relative to other organisms, rocks, features or events without expressing absolute age

What is a radioactive element?

• An element that is stable and does not emit radiation

• An element that is found only in fossils

• An element that emits radiation as a result of the spontaneous denegation of the nucleus

• An element that is used in the construction of nuclear reactors

Which type of rock are fossils primarily found in?

• Sedimentary rock

• Volcanic rock

• Metamorphic rock

• Igneous rock

What conditions are required for the formation of fossils?

• Presence of volcanic activity

• High temperatures and pressure

• Quick burial and a lack of oxygen and/or predators that might disturb the remains

• Exposure to sunlight

What does the fossil record exhibit?

• Fossils that are all the same age

• Only the fossils of extinct species

• A succession of life forms, with newer fossils overlaying older ones

• A random distribution of life forms