Fossils and transitions Vocabulary

What is the study of fossils and ancient life forms called?

• Biodiversity

• Paleontology

• Sedimentology

• Ecology

Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?

• Igneous rock

• Metamorphic rock

• Sedimentary rock

• Volcanic rock

What does the principle of superposition state?

• Older layers of rock are found above younger layers

• Younger layers of rock are found above older layers

• All rock layers are the same age

• Fossils are only found in the topmost layers

What term describes a species that no longer exists?

• Biodiversity

• Extinct

• Organism

• Transition

Who studies fossils to understand ancient life forms?

• Geologists

• Biologists

• Paleontologists

• Chemists

What is a tetrapod?

• An organism with three legs

• An organism with four limbs

• An organism with two wings

• An organism with no limbs

What is the term for the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms?

• Fossil

• Sediment

• Biodiversity

• Transition

What does the fossil record provide?

• Evidence of current biodiversity

• Evidence of past life and evolutionary history

• Evidence of future species

• Evidence of climate change

What is sediment?

• A type of fossil

• Particles of rock and soil that are transported and deposited by wind, water, or ice

• A type of organism

• A principle of superposition

Which of the following is an example of a transition fossil?

• A fossil of a modern bird

• A fossil showing features of both fish and amphibians

• A fossil of a dinosaur

• A fossil of a modern mammal