Fossils, Similarities

Which of these statements best sums up evolution?

• rapid change in species’ habits and features
• punctuated change in a population
• change in a population through new species being made
• change in a population through genetic variation over time 

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Scientists notice structural similarities between fossils of a land animal and an aquatic organism. They know the similarities are not a result of the two organisms having to adapt to similar environments. What can they attribute the structural similarities to?

• convergent evolution
• common ancestry
• transitional evolution
• similar mating habits

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Which structures are similar in function, but do not guarantee that the organisms are related? 

• analogous structures
• homologous structures
• vestigial structures
• transitional structures

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Thylacosmilus is a marsupial, and Smilodon is a mammal. Thylacosmilus and Smilodon both have saber teeth, but they do not share an ancestor that had saber teeth. What are saber teeth for these organisms?

• analogous structures 
• homologous structures
• vestigial structures
• mutated structures

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Which best describes the fossil record?

• The fossil record cannot provide evidence of evolution. 
• The fossil record provides evidence of a common ancestor to many species.
• The fossil record provides evidence that disputes the theory of evolution.
• The fossil record is inaccurate because scientists are not able to date fossils.

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In rock layers, jellyfish fossils are found lower than trilobite fossils, and trilobite fossils are found lower than ammonite fossils. What can be determined from this information?

• Trilobites existed before jellyfish and ammonites.
• Jellyfish existed before trilobites and ammonites. 
• Ammonites existed before trilobites and jellyfish.
• Jellyfish, trilobites, and ammonites lived together.

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What is the value of a transitional fossil?

• Transitional forms show the evolutionary steps between species. 
• Transitional forms are analogous fossils.
• Transitional forms discredit the theory of evolution.
• Transitional forms are proof of punctuated equilibrium in evolution.

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Fossils show how the complexity of living organisms has changed over time. Gerobatrachus hottoni was a unique organism that lived during the Permian period between ancient salamanders and ancient frogs. Scientists have nicknamed this organism the “frogamander” because it is believed to be a common ancestor of both modern frogs and salamanders. Which type of fossil is Gerobatrachus hottoni most likely to be?

• intermediary
• phylogenic
• transitional
• index

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The fossil record shows that two groups of organisms are related, which means they share a...

• common ancestor
• transitional fossil
• descendent
• genetic mutation

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Siblings have similar traits because they inherit those traits from a common ancestor. How is this similar to some evidence for evolution?

• Similarities can be seen between siblings in species today, which shows common ancestry.
• Similarities can be seen among related organisms, which shows common ancestry.
• There are many differences between siblings in species today, which shows common ancestry.
• There are many differences between related organisms, which shows common ancestry.

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