Evidence in the Fossil Record

What can we expect as new fossils are discovered?

• Fossils will become less important.

• No new information will be gained.

• Some gaps in the fossil record may be filled.

• All gaps in the fossil record will remain.

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What does the discovery of transitional reptile fossils with mammal-like jawbones signify?

• The extinction of dinosaurs.

• The dominance of reptiles.

• The emergence of birds.

• The emergence of early mammals.

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What does the theory of evolution suggest about individuals within a species?

• Variation within a species has no impact on survival.

• Individuals with the least variation survive the best.

• Only the strongest individuals can reproduce.

• Individuals better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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Why is tracing the lineage of species using fossil records challenging?

• Because all species have been discovered.

• Because fossils are too abundant to study effectively.

• Due to the lack of transitional fossils.

• Because DNA cannot be extracted from fossils.

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What role do characteristics play in the survival of species according to evolution theory?

• A minor role compared to chance.

• No role at all.

• A critical role in adapting to the environment.

• Only physical characteristics matter.

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A​ (a)   may be the ​ (b)   remains of an organism's body or the trace of an ​ (c)   -something it leaves behind.

• fossil
• preserved
• organism
• shell
• bones

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Select all the fossils

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A body fossil preserve...

• the shape and structure of an organism

• the organs and skin of an organism

• the bones and footprints of organisms

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Fossils are usually find in

• sedimentary rocks

• metamorphic rocks

• igneous rocks

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Rock layers are not the same everywhere. Different areas contain different parts of Earth’s geologic history. What can scientists use to figure out if rock layers from different areas are the same relative age?

• fossils

• ripple marks

• unconformities

• radioactive dating

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