BOOTCAMP SC.7.L.15.1 EQUIVALENT EXPERIENCE

What can fossils reveal about modern species?

• They only provide information about extinct species with no relevance to modern species.

• They show structural similarities and evolutionary changes that connect ancient organisms to modern species.

Answer explanation

Fossils reveal structural similarities and evolutionary changes, demonstrating connections between ancient organisms and modern species, which helps us understand the evolutionary history of life on Earth.

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What does the fossil record demonstrate about life on Earth?

• It illustrates a timeline of gradual changes, showing how earlier species evolved into those we see today.

• It proves that all species appeared suddenly without any evolutionary process.

Answer explanation

The fossil record illustrates a timeline of gradual changes, demonstrating how earlier species evolved into those we see today, contrary to the idea that life has always been the same or appeared suddenly.

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How does Archaeopteryx link ancient and modern species?

• It shares traits of both dinosaurs and modern birds, such as feathers and skeletal similarities.

• It is a direct ancestor of modern reptiles.

Answer explanation

Archaeopteryx is significant because it exhibits features of both dinosaurs and modern birds, including feathers and similar skeletal structures, demonstrating the evolutionary link between these ancient and modern species.

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What is an example of a fossil linking land mammals to aquatic species?

• Fossils of ancient amphibians.

• Ancient whale fossils like Basilosaurus show remnants of hind limbs, indicating their terrestrial ancestry.

Answer explanation

Ancient whale fossils like Basilosaurus are key evidence of the transition from land to water, as they exhibit remnants of hind limbs, highlighting their terrestrial ancestry and linking them to land mammals.

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How do fossilized horses differ from modern horses?

• Fossilized horses had no legs.

• Fossilized horses, like Eohippus, had smaller bodies and multiple toes, unlike today’s larger, single-toed horses.

Answer explanation

Fossilized horses, such as Eohippus, were smaller and had multiple toes, contrasting with modern horses that are larger and have a single toe. This highlights the evolutionary changes in horse anatomy over time.

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What similarities do trilobites share with modern arthropods?

• Trilobites had wings like modern birds.

• Trilobites’ segmented bodies and exoskeletons resemble those of modern crustaceans, like crabs and lobsters.

Answer explanation

Trilobites share key features with modern arthropods, such as segmented bodies and exoskeletons, similar to those found in crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, highlighting their evolutionary relationship.

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How do fossils of ancient fish like Tiktaalik relate to modern animals?

• Tiktaalik was a direct ancestor of modern reptiles.

• Tiktaalik shows a transition from fins to limbs, linking fish to modern tetrapods.

Answer explanation

Tiktaalik is a key fossil that illustrates the evolutionary transition from fish with fins to tetrapods with limbs, highlighting the link between ancient fish and modern land-dwelling vertebrates.

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How does the fossilized skull of Australopithecus compare to modern humans?

• Australopithecus fossils show smaller braincases and larger jaws, but they share traits like upright walking with humans.

• Australopithecus had no similarities with modern humans.

Answer explanation

Australopithecus had smaller braincases and larger jaws compared to modern humans, but they also exhibited traits like bipedalism, indicating a shared evolutionary path.

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How do fossilized plants compare to their modern versions?

• Fossilized plants had no leaves or stems.

• Fossilized ferns resemble modern ferns in structure, providing evidence of evolutionary continuity.

Answer explanation

Fossilized ferns share structural similarities with modern ferns, indicating that they have evolved over time while retaining key features. This supports the idea of evolutionary continuity between ancient and contemporary plant forms.

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Why are transitional fossils crucial in studying evolution?

• They show that evolution is a myth.

• They show intermediate forms between species, demonstrating gradual changes that link past and present organisms.

Answer explanation

Transitional fossils are vital as they provide evidence of intermediate forms between species, illustrating the gradual changes that connect ancient and modern organisms, thus supporting the theory of evolution.

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