Patterns in Evolution

Scientists theorize that the ancient horse on the left is related to the modern horse on the right. The scientists theorize that the horse has gone through many changes over time. How did the scientists conclude that the animal changed over time?

• by examining fossil records

• by learning about natural selection

• by studying deposition of sediments

• by observing different types of rock formations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based on fossil evidence. Which is the BEST conclusion that can be made from comparing the diagrams?

(Model Description: The first elephant ancestor is 50 million years old and very small, the second elephant ancestor is 30 million years old and much larger. The trunk is also short. The last ancestor is 20 million years old and taller, but shorter width wise. The trunk is also longer.)

• Ancient elephants were better adapted than modern elephants.

• Elephant habitats have remained the same over time.

• Elephant fossil evidence is widespread and complete.

• Elephant species have changed over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

If a scientist found a fish fossil in the desert, what can they infer?

• An animal ate the fish.

• Today's fish looks the same

• That water covered the area long ago.

• The fish is endangered.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Environments have changed over millions of years. Which of these would be BEST for a scientist to study when investigating these environmental changes?

• volcanic deposits

• wave patterns

• fossil records

• ocean currents

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What statement is true about fossils?

• Some living things have not really changed in millions of years.

• All living organisms leave behind fossils.

• Fossils show that camels never change.

• Plant fossils have never changed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientist study the ____________________ to learn about the history of life, past environments on Earth, and how different groups of organisms have changed over time.

• fossil record

• historical record

• animal record

• Earth record

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Example from class of adaptive radiation

• mating calls of birds

• Darwin's finches' beaks

• number of eggs in bird population

• evolution of feathers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

unrelated organisms evolve similar characteristics because they are in similar environments

• divergent evolution

• gradualism

• convergent evolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

forming of a new species by evolution from a pre-existing species

• gradualism

• extinction

• speciation

• natural selection

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Slow, constant changes over a long period of time

• extinction

• gradualism

• punctuated equilibrium