Generation Genius-The Fossil Record Quiz

What is a fossil?

• A living organism

• A type of mineral

• Preserved remains or traces of ancient plant and animal life

• A type of rock

Answer explanation

A fossil is defined as preserved remains or traces of ancient plant and animal life, distinguishing it from living organisms, minerals, or rocks. This definition captures the essence of what fossils represent in paleontology.

What are trace fossils?

• Fossils of dinosaur bones

• Impression or other preserved sign of activity such as feeding, scratching, burrowing, walking, or resting

• Fossils found only in amber

• Fossils that are always found in water

Answer explanation

Trace fossils are not actual remains of organisms but rather impressions or signs of their activities, such as feeding or walking, which provide insight into their behavior and environment.

How do layers of rock provide information in the fossil record?

• They show the color of the fossils

• They indicate the age of the fossils, with older fossils found in lower layers

• They determine the size of the fossils

• They reveal the diet of the organisms

Answer explanation

Layers of rock indicate the age of fossils, as sedimentary layers form over time. Older fossils are typically found in lower layers, providing a chronological record of life on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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What is permineralization?

• The process of fossils being exposed by erosion

• Groundwater fills pore spaces in animal or plant remains and deposits minerals

• The process of fossils being buried in volcanic ash

• The process of fossils being formed in ice

Answer explanation

Permineralization occurs when groundwater fills the pore spaces in animal or plant remains, depositing minerals that harden and preserve the structure, making it the correct choice.

What are body fossils?

• Fossils that are only found in water

• Preserved remains of the plant or animal itself, or the preserved parts of the animal or plant like bones, teeth, and shells

• Fossils that are made of gold

• Fossils that are only found in deserts

Answer explanation

Body fossils are the preserved remains of the actual plant or animal, including parts like bones, teeth, and shells. This distinguishes them from trace fossils, which record the activity of organisms.

What is a mold fossil?

• A fossil that is made of mold

• A hollow space left in a rock by animal or plant remains that have dissolved

• A fossil that is found in the ocean

• A fossil that is made of metal

Answer explanation

A mold fossil is specifically a hollow space left in a rock where animal or plant remains have dissolved, capturing the shape of the original organism. This distinguishes it from other types of fossils.

What is a cast fossil?

• A fossil that is found in ice

• A fossil that is found in caves

• A fossil that is made of wood

• When molds fill in with minerals or sediments that later harden

Answer explanation

A cast fossil forms when a mold, which is an impression of an organism, gets filled with minerals or sediments that harden over time, creating a replica of the original organism. This makes the correct choice the one describing this process.

(a)   are fossils that show evidence of organisms transitioning from water to land.

• Body Fossils
• Fossils that are made of amber

• Trace Fossils
• Transitional Fossils

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Fossils that show evidence of organ', indicates fossils that provide proof of the transition of organisms from aquatic to terrestrial environments, which is essential for understanding evolutionary processes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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How are fossils typically exposed?

• By being found in the sky

• By being dug up by animals

• By geologic processes such as weathering and erosion

• By being washed up on beaches

Answer explanation

Fossils are typically exposed through geologic processes like weathering and erosion, which gradually wear away the surrounding rock and soil, revealing the fossils embedded within.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What is the significance of the fossil record?

• It provides evidence that past life existed and how some living things changed over time

• It reveals the taste of ancient fruits

• It shows the height of ancient trees

• It shows the color of ancient plants

Answer explanation

The fossil record is crucial as it provides evidence of past life and illustrates how species have evolved over time, making it the best choice among the options.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2